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REDEEMING GRACE
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Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly
REDEEMING GRACE
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
Just as the title indicates, there are two
principal subjects contained in the lessons
for this quarter—grace and redemption, or,
the grace of God manifested in connection
with the redemption of man. Why is this
redemption necessary? Because of sin—be-
cause of the fall of man.
In order to gain an adequate view of the
subject of redeeming grace, it is necessary
to consider first the origin of evil, its uni-
versality, and its ultimate effects.
Next, God's intervention must be ex-
amined—the reasons for it, the means used
by God for this intervention, the condi-
tions the sinner must fulfill in order to ben-
efit from it, and all the consequences that
necessarily evolve for him in this life and
the life to come.
In reality this study is a summary of the
inclusive plan of salvation—a subject which
comprises all others—"the mystery of god-
liness." 1 Tim. 3:16.
Lesson 1, for July 2, 1955
The Problem of Sin
MEMORY VERSE:
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom.
3:23.
STUDY HELPS:
"Patriarchs and Prophets," chapters 1, 3; "Early Writings," pages
145-153; "The Great Controversy," chapter 29.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Sabbath afternoon: Read the general
introduction and trace through the
outline.
Sunday: Lesson introduction; questions
1-3.
Monday: Questions 4-6.
Tuesday: Questions 7-9.
Wednesday: Questions 10-12.
Thursday: Read Study Helps assign-
ments.
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
I. Introduction
II. The Origin and Essence of Sin
1.
Satan the originator of sin. John
8:44; 1 John 3:8.
2.
Pride, self-exaltation, rebellion, the
essence of sin. Isa. 14:12-15;
Ezek. 28:12-19.
3.
War in heaven. Rev. 12:7, 8.
III. Sin Transferred to This Earth
1.
Satan cast to this earth. Rev. 12:9.
2.
Sin invaded Eden. Gen. 3:1-7, 13.
3.
By one man sin entered the world.
Rom. 5:12.
[ 3
I
IV. Sin's Revolt Against God's Law
Ends in Death
1.
Sin the transgression of God's law.
1 John 3:4.
2.
Sin separates from God. Isa. 59:2.
Compare Hab. 1:13.
3.
Sin's final result. Rom. 6:21, 23;
James 1:15.
V. Universality of Sin and Its Remedy
1.
All have sinned. Rom. 3:23; Ecd.
7:20.
2.
All stand condemned before God.
Rom. 3:19.
3.
The universal remedy. 1 John 2:2.
Compare 1 Tim. 2:4-6.
Key Words:
1. Sin.
There are several words in the
Hebrew Scriptures that are translated
sin
in our English Bible. Some of these have
the connotation of "guilt," "to miss the
mark," "to err," "to go astray," "iniquity,"
"transgression." In the Greek New Testa-
ment, words indicating "error," "fault,"
"offense," "trespass," the act of sinning as
well as sin itself, are translated by the word
sin.
The Bible's own statement is perhaps
clearest of all: "Sin is the transgression of
the law."
2.
Rebellion.
This word is translated
from a Hebrew word meaning "bitterness."
It appears often as
Marah
(the same as the
name of the bitter spring sweetened for Is-
rael beyond the Red Sea). Another He-
brew word translated
rebellion
means "to
turn aside."
3.
Transgression.
Our one word
trans-
gression
does service for several words in
the original Scriptures with meanings such
as, "to deal treacherously," "to deceive,"
"to trespass," "to act undutifully," "to pass
over," "to pass by," "to go beyond."
THE LESSON
Introduction
The first lesson in our studies on redeem-
ing grace deals with the problem of sin,
for sin is the ground or occasion for the
manifestation of grace. For, "Where sin
abounded, grace did much more abound:
that as sin bath reigned unto death, even
so might grace reign through righteousness
unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."
Rom. 5:20, 21.
The Origin and Essence of Sin
1. With whom did sin originate?
John 8:44; 1 John 3:8.
NoTE.—"There was one who perverted
the freedom that God had granted to His
creatures. Sin originated with him, who,
next to Christ, had been most honored of
God, and was highest in power and glory
among the inhabitants of heaven. Lucifer,
`son of the morning,' was first of the cover-
ing cherubs, holy and undefiled. He stood
in the presence of the great Creator, and
the ceaseless beams of glory enshrouding
the eternal God, rested upon him. 'Thus
saith the Lord God: . . . Thou wast per-
fect in thy ways from the day that thou
wast created, till iniquity was found in
thee.'
"—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 35.
2. What was the basic cause or es-
sence of sin? Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:
12-19.
NOTE.—Jealousy, pride, and self-exalta-
tion lay at the foundation of Lucifer's de-
fection.
"Little by little, Lucifer came to indulge
the desire for self-exaltation. The Scrip-
ture says: 'Thine heart was lifted up be-
cause of thy beauty; thou hast corrupted
thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness.'
`Thou hast said in thine heart, . . . I will
exalt my throne above the stars of God;
. . . I will be like the Most High.' Though
all his glory was from God, this mighty an-
gel came to regard it as pertaining to him-
self. Not content with his position, though
honored above the heavenly host, he ven-
tured to covet homage due alone to the
Creator. Instead of seeking to make God
supreme in the affections and allegiance of
all created beings, it was his endeavor to
[4]
WE,
LIKE EVE, SELL OUR SOULS
FOR THE
BAUBLES
OP SIN.
secure their service and loyalty to himself.
And coveting the glory with which the in-
finite Father had invested His Son, this
prince of angels aspired to power that was
the prerogative of Christ
alone."—Patri-
archs and Prophets,
page 35.
"Satan was jealous of Jesus. . . . He
was filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred.
He desired to receive the highest honors in
heaven next to God."—Early
Writings,
page 145.
"Pride in his own glory nourished the
desire for supremacy."—The
Great Contro-
versy,
page 495.
3.
In what did the rebellion in
heaven result? Rev. 12:7, 8.
NoTE.—"Until this time all heaven had
been in order, harmony, and perfect sub-
jection to the government of God. It was
the highest sin to rebel against His order
and will. All heaven seemed in commotion.
. . . Some of the angels sympathized with
Satan in his rebellion. . . . They rebelled
against the authority of the Son. All the
heavenly host were summoned to appear
before the Father to have each case de-
cided. It was there determined that Satan
should be expelled from heaven, with all
the angels who had joined him in the re-
bellion. Then there was war in heaven.
Angels were engaged in the battle; Satan
wished to conquer the Son of God, and
those who were submissive to His will. But
the good and true angels prevailed, and
Satan, with his followers, was driven from
heaven."—Early Writings,
pages 145, 146.
Sin Transferred to This Earth
4.
When Satan was cast out of
heaven, where did he renew his ac-
tivities? Rev. 12:9.
NoTE.—"After Satan and those who fell
with him were shut out of heaven, and he
realized . . . that there was no possibility
of his being brought again into favor with
God, his malice and hatred began to be
manifest. . . . A plan was laid to still work
against God's government. When Adam
and Eve were placed in the beautiful gar-
den, Satan was laying plans to destroy
them."—Early
Writings,
page 146.
"No longer free to stir up rebellion in
heaven, Satan's enmity against God found
a new field in plotting the ruin of the hu-
man race. In the happiness and peace of
the holy pair in Eden, he beheld a vision of
the bliss that to him was forever lost.
Moved by envy, he determined to incite
them to disobedience, and bring upon them
the guilt and penalty of sin. He would
change their love to distrust, and their
songs of praise to reproaches against their
Maker. Thus he would not only plunge
these innocent beings into the same misery
which he was himself enduring, but would
cast dishonor upon God, and cause grief in
heaven."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 52.
5.
How did sin gain a foothold in
Eden? Gen. 3:1-7, 13.
NoTE.—"Satan commenced his work with
Eve, to cause her to disobey. She first erred
in wandering from her husband, next in
lingering around the forbidden tree, and
next in listening to the voice of the tempter,
and even daring to doubt what God had
said. . . . She thought that perhaps the
Lord did not mean just what He said, and
venturing, she put forth her hand, took of
the fruit, and ate. It was pleasing to the
eye, and pleasant to the taste. Then she was
jealous that God had withheld from them
[6
]
what was really for their good, and she of-
fered the fruit to her husband, thereby
tempting him. She related to Adam all that
the serpent had said, and expressed her
astonishment that he had the power of
speech."—Early
Writings,
pages 147, 148.
"Our first parents were not left without
a warning of the danger that threatened
them. Heavenly messengers opened to
them the history of Satan's fall, and his
plots for their destruction, unfolding more
fully the nature of the divine government,
which the prince of evil was trying to
overthrow. It was by disobedience to the
just commands of God that Satan and his
host had fallen. How important, then,
that Adam and Eve should honor that
law by which alone it was possible for
order and equity to be maintained."—
Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 52.
6.
Whom does the Bible hold
chiefly responsible for sin's entering
the world? Rom. 5:12.
NoTE.—"Deplorable as was Eve's trans-
gression and fraught as it was with po-
tential woe for the human family, her
choice did not necessarily involve the race
in the penalty for her trangression. It was
the deliberate choice of Adam, in the full
understanding of an express command of
God—rather than hers—that made sin
and death the inevitable lot of mankind.
Eve was deceived; Adam was not (see
Rom. 5:12, 14; 1 Cor. 15:21; 1 Tim. 2:14;
2 Cor. 11:3). Had Adam remained loyal to
God in spite of Eve's disloyalty, divine
wisdom would yet have solved the dilemma
for him and averted disaster for the race
(PP
56)."—The Seventh-day Adventist
Bible Commentary,
on Genesis 3:6.
Sin's Revolt Against God's
Law Ends in Death
7.
What is sin declared to be? 1
John 3:4.
NOTE.—"From the first, the great con-
troversy had been upon the law of God.
Satan had sought to prove that God was
unjust, that His law was faulty, and that
the good of the universe required it to be
changed. In attacking the law, he aimed
to overthrow the authority of its Author.
In the controversy it was to be shown
whether the divine statutes were defective
and subject to change, or perfect and immu-
table."—Patriarchs
and Prophets,
page 69.
8.
How does sin affect the sinner's
relationship to God? Isa. 59:2. Com-
pare Hab. 1:13.
NOTE.—"Sin
not only shuts away from
God, but destroys in the human soul both
the desire and the capacity for knowing
Him. Through sin, the whole human or-
ganism is deranged, the mind is perverted,
the imagination corrupted; the faculties of
the soul are degraded."—Prophets
and
Kings,
page 233.
9.
What is the final result of sin?
Rom. 6:21, 23, first part; James 1:15.
NoTE.—"To Eve it seemed
a
small thing
to disobey God by tasting the fruit of the
forbidden tree, and to tempt her husband
also to transgress; but their sin opened
the floodgates of woe upon the world. . . .
"The sin of our first parents brought
guilt and sorrow upon the world, and had
it not been for the goodness and mercy of
God, would have plunged the race into
hopeless despair. Let none deceive them-
selves. 'The wages of sin is death.'
"—Pa-
triarchs and Prophets,
page 61.
Universality of Sin and
Its Remedy
10.
How many have become in-
volved in sin? Rom. 3:23; Eccl. 7:20.
NOTE.—"For
all have sinned—And con-
sequently are equally helpless and guilty;
and as God is no respecter of persons, all
human creatures being equally His off-
spring, and there being no reason why one
should be preferred before another, there-
[
sl
fore His endless mercy has embraced all.
[As this remark of the apostle is a univer-
sal one, and is used for the development
of the doctrine of the universal grace of
God in Christ, the fact upon which it is
based, that is, that all have sinned, . . .
must also be universal. The 'all' in this
case, is the aggregate human race, which,
in some way, has become involved in the
universal curse of sin, by reason of their
relations to the original act of sinning.]"—
Adam Clarke,
Commentary,
on Rom. 3:23
(New York, Phillips and Hunt, 1883).
11.
How many stand condemned
before the broken law of God? Rom.
3:19.
12.
What is the only and universal
remedy for sin? 1 John 2:2. Compare
1 Tim.
2:4-6.
NorE.—"The law requires righteousness,
—a righteous life, a perfect character; and
this man has not to give. He cannot meet
the claims of God's holy law. But Christ,
coming to the earth as man, lived a holy
life, and developed a perfect character.
These He offers as a free gift to all who
will receive them. His life stands for the life
of men. Thus they have remission of sins
that are past, through the forbearance of
God. More than this, Christ imbues men
with the attributes of God: He builds up
the human character after the similitude
of the divine character, a goodly fabric of
spiritual strength and beauty. Thus the
very righteousness of the law is fulfilled in
the believer in Christ. God can 'be just,
and the justifier of him which believeth in
Jesus.' Rom. 3:26. . . .
"By His life and His death, Christ
proved that God's justice did not destroy
His mercy, but that sin could be forgiven,
and that the law is righteous, and can be
perfectly obeyed. Satan's charges were re-
futed. God had given man unmistakable
evidence of His love."—The
Desire of
Ages,
page 762.
Lesson 2, for July 9, 1955
Meaning and Necessity of Grace
MEMORY VERSE:
"And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of
His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among
all them which are sanctified." Acts 20:32.
STUDY HELP:
"Steps to Christ," pages 19-25.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Sabbath afternoon: Following the out-
line, survey the entire lesson.
Sunday: Introduction; questions 1-3.
Monday: Questions 4-6.
Tuesday: Questions 7-10.
Wednesday: Questions 11-13.
Thursday: Read Study Help assignment.
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
I.
Introduction
II.
Grace Illustrated
1. Grace as saving power.
Titus
2:11.
C
7
]
2.
Grace in ancient Israel. Jer. 31:2, 3.
3.
Grace in the Psalms. Ps. 45:2 ;
84:11.
4.
Grace in the New Testament. Rom.
3:24.
III. Grace Necessary to Live the
New Life
1.
Grace awakens spiritually dead to
life. Eph. 2:5-7.
2.
Grace sufficient for every need.
Heb. 4:16.
IV. Grace Necessary for Service
1.
By grace weakness exchanged for
strength. 2 Cor. 12:9.
2.
Grace empowers for service. 1 Cor.
15:10.
3.
Grace assists us to serve God ac-
ceptably. Heb. 12:28.
4.
Grace is inexhaustible. John 1:16.
V. Grace Necessary for Salvation
1.
Our own efforts not sufficient to
save. Eph. 2:8.
2.
Grace restores divine likeness. 2 Pe-
ter 1:2-4.
3.
Grace prepares us for future inher-
itance. Acts 20:32.
Key Words:
1.
Grace.
In the Old Testament and
also in the New Testament the English
word
grace
is a translation from expressions
meaning "favor." In the word
grace we
usu-
ally express the thought of undeserved or
unmerited. favor.
2.
Salvation.
This word stands for the
original ideas of "rescue," "safety," "de-
liverance."
THE LESSON
Introduction
It is impossible for us to begin to fully
comprehend the word
grace.
It is so rich
in meaning, including such terms as "be-
nevolence," "beneficence," "mercy," "peace,"
and "kindness." It is used especially to de-
note the favor of God toward man. The
unmerited goodness of God bestowed upon
erring mortals is beyond our human power
to grasp. This divine gift of God to sinful
man will be our never-ending study. As
our minds contemplate this vast theme,
we are lost in wonder at such condescen-
sion on Heaven's part. The whole Bible
is a record of God's gracious dealings with
the children of men.
Grace Illustrated
1. How is grace related to God's
saving power? Titus 2:11.
Nora.—"Grace is an attribute of God
exercised toward undeserving human be-
ings. We did not seek for it, but it was
sent in search of us. God rejoices to be-
stow His grace upon us, not because we
are worthy, but because we are so utterly
unworthy. Our only claim to His mercy is
our great need.
"The Lord God through Jesus Christ
holds out His hand all the day long in in-
vitation to the sinful and fallen. He will
receive all. He welcomes all. It is His
glory to pardon the chief of sinners. He
will take the prey from the mighty, He will
deliver the captive, He will pluck the
brand from the burning. He will lower the
golden chain of His mercy to the lowest
depths of human wretchedness, and lift up
the debased soul contaminated with sin."—
The Ministry of Healing,
page 161.
2.
What did the children of Israel
experience in the wilderness? Jer.
31: 2, 3.
NOTE.—Some represent the Old Testa-
ment as containing only laws and regula-
tions, but grace is also prominent through-
out its pages. Grace was continually min-
istered to the children of Israel, not only
in their deliverance from Egypt, but in all
God's dealings with them.
3.
How does the psalmist speak of
God's grace? Ps. 45:2; 84:11.
4.
What does the New Testament
say grace can do for the believer?
Rom. 3:24.
8
NOTE.—"The [Greek] word . . . [
charis]
means a favorable disposition, or kind
feeling; and especially love as exercised
towards the inferior, dependent, or un-
worthy. This is represented as the crown-
ing attribute of the divine nature. Its man-
ifestation is declared to be the grand end
of the whole scheme of redemption."—
Charles Hodge,
Systematic Theology, vol.
2, p. 654.
Grace Necessary to Live the
New Life
5.
What can grace do for men who
are spiritually dead? Eph. 2:5-7.
NoTE.—"It is impossible for us, of our-
selves, to escape from the pit of sin in
which we are sunken. Our hearts are evil,
and we cannot change them. 'Who can
bring a clean thing out of an unclean?—
Not one.' The carnal mind is enmity
against God: for it is not subject to the
law of God, neither indeed can be.' Edu-
cation, culture, the exercise of the will,
human effort, all have their proper sphere,
but here they are powerless. They may
produce an outward correctness of be-
havior, but they cannot change the heart;
they cannot purify the springs of life.
There must be a power working from
within, a new life from above, before men
can be changed from sin to holiness. That
power is Christ. His grace alone can
quicken the lifeless faculties of the soul,
and attract it to God, to holiness."—Steps
to Christ,
page 20.
"Whatever may be the evil practice, the
master passion which through long indul-
gence binds both soul and body, Christ is
able and longs to deliver. He will impart
life to the soul that is 'dead in trespasses.'
He will set free the captive that is held by
weakness and misfortune and the chains of
sin."—The Ministry of Healing,
page 85.
6.
What assurance do we have as
we come to the throne of grace? Heb.
4:16.
NoTE.—"The sense of sin has poisoned
the springs of life. But Christ says, 'I will
take your sins;
I
will give you peace. I
have bought you with My blood. You are
Mine. My grace shall strengthen your
weakened will; your remorse for sin I will
remove.' When temptations assail you,
when care and perplexity surround you,
when, depressed and discouraged, you are
ready to yield to despair, look to Jesus, and
the darkness that encompasses you will be
dispelled by the bright shining of His
presence. When sin struggles for the mas-
tery in your soul, and burdens the con-
science, look to the Saviour. His grace is
sufficient to subdue
sin."—The Ministry of
Healing,
page 85.
Grace Necessary for Service
7.
By what means may we ex-
change our weakness for God's
strength? 2 Cor. 12:9.
NOTE.—"In the service of God there need
be no despondency, no wavering, no fear.
The Lord will more than fulfill the highest
expectations of those who put their trust in
Him. He will give them the wisdom their
varied necessities demand.
"Of the abundant provision made for
every tempted soul, the apostle Paul bears
eloquent testimony. To him was given the
divine assurance, 'My grace is sufficient for
thee: for My strength is made perfect in
weakness.' In gratitude and confidence the
tried servant of God responded: 'Most
gladly therefore will I rather glory in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may
rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in
infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in
persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake:
for when I am weak, then am I strong.'"
—Prophets and Kings,
page 387.
8.
What power changed Paul's life
from a persecutor to a preacher? 1
Cor. 15:10.
NoTE.—What will empower us for serv-
ice? "Through the grace of Christ you will
be able to do a precious work for the Mas-
ter. The wealth of divine resource is at
your command, and through prayer and
faith you may lay hold on the promises of
God, and appropriate them to your need.
[9
]
GOD
WILL
li
t
DELIVER THE
1.
Sf4rT
T
I
I
I Z
S
LICZ
I
;
ft
THE LOVING
SACR 1 FICE
OF HIS SON.
"Consecrate yourself and your all to the
service of Him who hath loved you, and
hath given Himself for you. Jesus says,
`Herein is My Father glorified, that ye
bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disci-
ples.'"—Testimonies on Sabbath School
Work,
page 69.
9. What heavenly quality do we
need to make our service acceptable?
Heb. 12:28.
NOTE.—"Heavenly
intelligences are wait-
ing to co-operate with human instrumen-
talities, that they may reveal to the world
what human beings may become, and what,
through union with the Divine, may be ac-
complished for the saving of souls that are
ready to perish. There is no limit to the
usefulness of one who, putting self aside,
makes room for the working of the Holy
Spirit upon his heart and lives a life
wholly consecrated to God. All who con-
secrate body, soul, and spirit to His serv-
ice will be constantly receiving a new en-
dowment of physical, mental, and spiritual
power. The inexhaustible supplies of
heaven are at their command. Christ gives
them the breath of His own Spirit, the life
of His own life. The Holy Spirit puts forth
Its highest energies to work in mind and
heart. Through the grace given us we may
achieve victories that because of our own
erroneous and preconceived opinions, our
defects of character, our smallness of faith,
have seemed impossible."—The
Ministry
of Healing,
page 159.
10.
Is there any likelihood of grace
ever being exhausted? John 1:16.
NOTE.—This expression ("fullness") oc-
curs only here in John's writings, but it
is found in several places in Paul's epistles,
such as in Colossians 1:19. "Here St. Paul's
thought is evidently that the whole sum of
the divine attributes exists together in
Christ, and that each Christian in virtue of
his fellowship with Him draws from that
`fullness' whatever he needs for the accom-
plishment of his own part in the great life
of the church. . . .
and grace for grace]
Each blessing appropriated became the
foundation of a greater blessing. To have
realized and used one measure of grace was
to have gained a larger measure (as it
were) in exchange for it."—Westcott,
Gos-
pel of St. John,
page 14.
Grace Necessary for Salvation
11.
Are our own efforts sufficient
to save us? Eph. 2:8.
NoTE.—"The grace of Christ can accom-
plish for us that which all our efforts will
fail to do. Those who love and fear God
may be surrounded with a multitude of
cares, and yet not falter or make crooked
paths for their
feet."—Counsels on Health,
page 424.
12.
By what means will the divine
likeness be restored in us? 2 Peter
1:2-4.
NoTE.—"Among an unholy, impure, idol-
atrous generation, we are to be pure and
holy, showing that the grace of Christ has
power to restore in man the divine like-
ness."—Counsels on Health,
page 592.
13.
What will the word of God's
grace finally do for us? Acts 20:32.
1
0
NOTE.
-"Jesus has gone to prepare man-
sions for those who are preparing them-
selves, through His love and grace, for the
abodes of bliss. In the family of God in
heaven there will not be found one who is
selfish. The peace and harmony of the
heavenly courts will not be marred by the
presence of one who is rough or unkind.
He who in this world exalts self in the work
given him to do will never see the kingdom
of God unless he is changed in spirit, unless
he becomes meek and lowly, revealing the
simplicity of a little
child."-Testimonies,
vol. 8, p. 140.
Lesson 3, for July 16, 1955
God's Plan
MEMORY VERSE: "We love Him, because He first loved us."
STUDY HELP: "Patriarchs and Prophets," chapter 4.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
1 John 4:19.
Sabbath afternoon: Following the out-
line, survey the entire lesson.
Sunday: Introduction; Questions 1-3.
Monday: Questions 4-6.
Tuesday: Questions 7-9.
Wednesday: Questions 10-12.
Thursday: Read Study Help assignment.
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
I.
Introduction
II. A Plan of Love
1.
God's plan to save sinners. Eph.
1:7-9.
2.
The plan conceived before creation
of world. 2 Tim. 1:9, last part.
3.
Love alone the motive. John 3:16.
III. Reconciliation
1.
Man must be reconciled with God.
2 Cor. 5:19.
2.
All must be reconciled in Christ.
Eph. 1:10.
3.
Redemption embraces heaven and
earth. Acts 3:21.
IV. The Plan Revealed to Humanity
1.
Plan revealed to Adam and Eve
immediately after fall. Gen. 3:15.
2.
This revelation declared by the
prophets and apostles. 1 Peter
1:9-12.
3.
Concerns all men. 1 Tim. 2:3, 4.
V. The Plan Realized in Christ
1.
Made of a woman. Gal. 4:4, 5.
2.
To seek and save the lost. Luke
19:10.
3.
All creation shares in redemption.
Rom. 8:19-21.
Key Words:
1.
Love.
The original words of Scrip-
ture for the supreme benevolent emotion
have the general idea of affection, including
the qualities of mercy, pity, friendship.
2.
Reconciliation.
In the original the
usual word for reconciliation in the Old
Testament carries the idea of "to cover,"
"to atone." In the New Testament, two
Greek words translated
reconciliation
mean
"to change thoroughly," "to appease," "to
be merciful to."
3.
Restitution.
Our word
restitution
has interesting connotations in the origi-
nals. In the Hebrew there are the ideas of
"to exchange," "to make whole," "to com-
plete," "to make alive," "to give," "to turn
back." In the Greek we have the ideas of
"to give back," "to place down again," "to
restore," "to make thoroughly right."
THE LESSON
Introduction
When sin entered the world through the
fall of Adam and Eve, divine justice de-
manded that the penalty of transgression
be imposed. Yet the love of God, matching
His justice, had provided a way whereby
justice and mercy could both be met, as so
beautifully expressed by the psalmist,
"Mercy and truth are met together; right-
eousness and peace have kissed each other."
Ps. 85:10.
A Plan of Love
1.
By what plan will God save
sinners? Eph. 1:7-9.
NOTE.—"Through Jesus, God's mercy
was manifested to men; but mercy does
not set aside justice. The law reveals the
attributes of God's character, and not a jot
or tittle of it could be changed to meet man
in his fallen condition. God did not change
His law, but He sacrificed Himself, in Christ,
for man's redemption. . . . Christ, coming
to the earth as man, lived a holy life, and
developed a perfect character. These He of-
fers as a free gift to all who will receive
them. His life stands for the life of men.
Thus they have remission of sins that are
past, through the forbearance of God."—
The Desire of Ages,
page 762.
2.
Since when has this plan ex-
isted? 2 Tim. 1:9, last part.
NoTE.—"The plan for our redemption
was not an afterthought, a plan formulated
after the fall of Adam. It was a revelation
of 'the mystery which hath been kept in
silence through times eternal.' Rom. 16:25,
R.V. It was an unfolding of the principles
that from eternal ages have been the foun-
dation of God's throne. From the beginning,
God and Christ knew of the apostasy of
Satan, and of the fall of man through the
deceptive power of the apostate. God did
not ordain that sin should exist, but He
foresaw its existence, and made provision to
meet the terrible emergency."—The
Desire
of Ages,
page 22.
3.
What was the motivating force
of this plan? John 3:16.
NOTE.—"Oh, the mystery of redemption!
the love of God for a world that did not
love Him! Who can know the depths of
that love which 'passeth knowledge'?
Through endless ages, immortal minds,
seeking to comprehend the mystery of that
incomprehensible love, will wonder and
adore."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
pages
63, 64.
Reconciliation
4.
Since sin had broken the rela-
tionship between God and man, what
had to
be
the primary air, of God's
plan? 2 Cor. 5:19.
NOTE.—"Adam, in his innocence, had en-
joyed open communion with his Maker;
but sin brought separation between God
and man, and the atonement of Christ
alone could span the abyss, and make pos-
sible the communication of blessing or sal-
vation from heaven
to'earth."—Patriarchs
and Prophets,
page 67.
5.
What had to be the final aim of
God's plan? Eph. 1:10.
Nora.—"Satan, by means of his success
in turning man aside from the path of
obedience, became `the god of this world.'
The dominion that once was Adam's, passed
to the usurper. But the Son of God pro-
posed to come to this earth to pay the
penalty of sin, and thus not only redeem
man, but recover the dominion forfeited. It
is of this restoration that Micah prophesied
when he said, '0 Tower of the flock, the
stronghold of the daughter of Zion, unto
Thee shall it come, even the first dominion.'
The apostle Paul has referred to it as `the
redemption of the purchased possession.'
And the psalmist had in mind the same
final restoration of man's original inherit-
[ 12 I
•
-
WAITING SENTENCE FOR THEIR SIN, ADAM
AND EVE LOOK TO THE PROMISE OF A
REDEEMER FOR ETERNAL
LIFE.
ance when he declared, 'The righteous shall
inherit the land, and dwell therein for-
ever.'
"—Prhphets and Kings,
page 682.
6.
In what words did Peter describe
this plan? Acts 3:21.
NOTE.—"Not only man but the earth had
by sin come under the power of the wicked
one, and was to be restored by the plan
of redemption. At his creation, Adam was
placed in dominion over the earth. But
by yielding to temptation, he was brought
under the power of Satan. 'Of whom a
man is overcome, of the same is he brought
in bondage.' When man became Satan's
captive, the dominion which he held, passed
to his conqueror. Thus Satan became 'the
god of this world.' He had usurped that
dominion over the earth which had been
originally given to Adam. But Christ, by
His sacrifice paying the penalty of sin,
would not only redeem man, but recover
the dominion which he had forfeited. All
that was lost by the first Adam will be re-
stored by the
second."—Patriarchs and
Prophets,
page 67.
The Plan Revealed to Humanity
7.
When did God reveal His plan
of salvation to Adam and Eve? Gen.
3:15.
NOTE.—"To man the first intimation of
redemption was communicated in the sen-
tence pronounced upon Satan in the gar-
den. . . . This sentence, uttered in the
hearing of our first parents, was to them
a promise. While it foretold war between
man and Satan, it declared that the power
of the great adversary would finally be
broken. Adam and Eve stood as criminals
before the righteous Judge, awaiting the
sentence which transgression had incurred;
but before they heard of the life of toil and
sorrow which must be their portion, or of
the decree that they must return to dust,
they listened to words that could not fail
to give them hope. Though they must suf-
fer from the power of their mighty foe,
they could look forward to final victory."—
Patriarchs and Prophets,
pages 65, 66.
8.
Through whom was this reve-
lation more fully declared? 1 Peter
1:9-12.
9.
Whom does this plan concern?
1 Tim. 2:3, 4. Compare 2 Peter 3:9.
The Plan Realized in Christ
10.
How many are included in
God's plan of salvation? Gal. 4:4, 5.
Compare 2 Tim. 1:10.
NoTE.—"The Son of God, 'made of a
woman' (a term which described His per-
fect humanity), had to resemble His hu-
man brothers in all things. He had to be
born
and to
live
under the law—bear its
yoke, and fulfill it perfectly by an obedi-
ence, the last act of which was his death
oh Calvary. He did all this in order to re-
deem those who had violated that law,
and to elevate them to the glorious condi-
tion of children of God."—Translation
from Louis Bonnet,
Le Nouveau Testament
explique,
vol. 3, p. 340.
11.
For what purpose did Jesus
come to this world? Luke 19:10.
[13]
NOTE.—"When Satan tells you that you
are a sinner, and cannot hope to receive
blessing from God, tell him that Christ
came into the world to save sinners. We
have nothing to recommend us to God;
but the plea that we may urge now and
ever is our utterly helpless condition that
makes His redeeming power a necessity."—
The Desire of Ages,
page 317.
12. How will the physical world
permanently benefit from the plan of
salvation? Rom. 8:19-21.
NOTE.—"A restored creation, a redeemed
race, that having conquered sin could never
fall,—this, the result to flow from Christ's
completed work, God and angels saw."—
The Desire of Ages,
page 769.
"The earth originally given to man as
his kingdom, betrayed by him into the
hands of Satan, and so long held by the
mighty foe, has been brought back by the
great plan of redemption. All that was lost
by sin has been restored. . . .
"In the Bible the inheritance of the
saved is called a country. There the heav-
enly Shepherd leads His flock to fountains
of living waters. The tree of life yields its
fruit every month, and the leaves of the
tree are for the service of the nations.
There are ever-flowing streams, clear as
crystal, and beside them waving trees cast
their shadows upon the paths prepared for
the ransomed of the Lord. There the wide-
spreading plains swell into hills of beauty,
and the mountains of God rear their lofty
summits. On those peaceful plains, beside
those living streams, God's people, so long
pilgrims and wanderers, shall find a home."
—The Great Controversy,
pages 674, 675.
Lesson 4, for July 23, 1955
The Gift of God
MEMORY VERSE:
"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift." 2 Cor. 9:15.
STUDY HELP:
"Steps to Christ," chapters 1 and 2.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Sabbath afternoon: Following the out- Tuesday: Questions 7-9.
line, survey the entire lesson.
Wednesday: Questions 10-12.
Sunday: Introduction; Questions 1-3.
Thursday: Read Study Help assignment.
Monday: Questions 4-6.
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
I.
Introduction
II.
Jesus Christ, the Gift of God
1.
A revelation of God's overwhelm-
ing love. John 3:16.
2.
Bestowed on sinners. Rom. 5:8.
3.
Ultimate manifestation of love.
John 10:11, 15; 15:13.
4.
Christ a willing sacrifice. John
10:17, 18. Compare Gal. 1:4.
III. The Word Made Flesh
1.
Originally with God. John 1:1, 2;
17:5.
2.
The Son of God becomes the Son
of man. Phil. 2:6-8.
3.
Christ's complete identification with
man. Heb. 2:14-17.
IV. The Only Acceptable Sacrifice
1.
Only the blood of Christ can put
away sin. Heb. 9:22, 23.
2.
The price of redemption. Titus
2:14.
[ 14 ]
3.
God's purchased ownership. 1 Cor.
6:19, 20.
4.
The sacrifice of Jesus Christ can
save 'all men. Heb. 2:9.
5.
God's gracious invitation. Isa.
45:22.
Key Words:
1. Gift.
This important word in our
lesson also has several originals from which
it is translated. Some of the most impor-
tant carry the idea of "reward," "offering,"
"things lifted up," "present," "favor."
2. Price. Some of the ideas of the origi-
nal words translated
price
are: "precious,"
"silver," "hire," "wares," "possessions,"
"valuation," "reward," "honor."
THE LESSON
Introduction
" ' His name shall be called Immanuel,
. . . God with us.'
"'The light of the knowledge of the glory
of God' is seen 'in the face of Jesus Christ.'
From the days of eternity the Lord Jesus
Christ was one with the Father; He was
'the image of God,' the image of His great-
ness and majesty, 'the outshining of His
glory.' It was to manifest this glory that
He came to our world. To this sin-dark-
ened earth He came to reveal the light of
God's love,—to be 'God with us.' There-
fore it was prophesied of Him, 'His name
shall be called Immanuel.'
"—The Desire
of Ages,
page 19.
The only ransom large enough to re-
deem the sinner from the power of Satan
was the blood of Jesus Christ. Each sinner
who is conscious of his own condition and
feels the need of a Saviour, can claim
cleansing.
Jesus Christ, the Gift of God
1. What was involved in God's
gift for the salvation of sinners? John
3:16.
NOTE.
-"
'God so loved the world, that
He gave His only-begotten Son.' He gave
Him not only to live among men, to bear
their sins, and die their sacrifice, He gave
Him to the fallen race. Christ was to iden-
tify Himself with the interests and needs
of humanity. He who was one with God
has linked Himself with the children of
men by ties that are never to be broken."
—Steps to Christ,
page 16.
Of all the verses in the Bible, John 3:16
is without doubt the most marvelous. This
wonderful passage has probably led more
people out of the clouds of darkness to
light than has any other passage in the
word of God. There are seven wonders
contained in it:
a.
God—the possessor of power
b.
so loved the world—the
most power-
ful motive
c.
that He gave His only-begotten Son
—the supreme gift
d.
that
whosoever—universal welcome
e.
believeth in Him—a
most simple de-
liverance
f.
should not perish—excellent
grace
g.
but have everlasting life—an
inesti-
mable possession.
2.
On whom is this love bestowed?
Rom.
5:8.
Compare 1 John
3:1.
NoTE.—"The heart of God yearns over
His earthly children with a love stronger
than death. In giving up His Son, He has
poured out to us all heaven in one gift."—
Steps to Christ,
page 24.
3.
To what lengths was this gift of
love manifested? John
10:11, 15;
15:13.
NoTE.—"The price paid for our redemp-
tion, the infinite sacrifice of our heavenly
Father in giving His Son to die for us,
should give us exalted conceptions of what
we may become through Christ. As the
inspired apostle John beheld the height,
the depth, the breadth of the Father's love
toward the perishing race, he was filled with
adoration and reverence; and, failing to
find suitable language in which to express
15
GOD'S
GREATEST GIFT WAS SHROUDED
IN
HUMAN
FORM. JESUS WAS "
GOD
WITH US."
the greatness and tenderness of this love, he
called upon the world to behold it. 'Be-
hold, what manner of love the Father hath
bestowed upon us, that we should be called
the sons of God.' What a value this places
upon man ! Through transgression, the sons
of man become subjects of Satan. Through
faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ, the
sons of Adam may become the sons of
God. By assuming human nature, Christ
elevates humanity. Fallen men are placed
where, through connection with Christ,
they may indeed become worthy of the
name 'sons of
God.'"—Steps to Christ,
page 17.
4.
What did Christ say of His com-
ing death? John 10:17, 18. Compare
Gal. 1:4.
NOTE.—"If Christ was not constrained
by God, except through love, to give His
life for man, then neither could any man
take it from Him, unless He lay it down
Himself, forced by the holy freedom of
love."—Translation from Alfred Schroeder,
Le Nouveau Testament,
page 183.
The Word Made Flesh
5.
What position did Jesus occupy
before coming to this earth? John
1:1, 2; 17:5.
NorE.—The glory that Jesus here asks
of His Father is the same as He possessed
before His incarnation. He had participated
completely in the divine perfections and
joys of heaven.
6.
In what form was Jesus to come
to this earth? Phil. 2:6-8. Compare
2 Cor. 8:9; Matt. 8:20.
NOTE.—"Jesus, the brightness of the Fa-
ther's glory, thought 'it not a thing to be
grasped to be on an equality with God, but
emptied Himself, taking the form of a
servant.' [Phil. 2:6, 7, R.V., margin.]
Through all the lowly experiences of life
He consented to pass, walking among the
[ 16
children of men, not as a king, to demand
homage, but as one whose mission it was
to serve
others."—Thoughts From the
Mount of Blessing,
page 29.
7.
To what extent did He identify
Himself with man? Heb. 2:14-17;
4:15.
NOTE.—"Many claim that it was impos-
sible for Christ to be overcome by tempta-
tion. Then He could not have been placed
in Adam's position; He could not have
gained the victory that Adam failed to gain.
If we have in any sense a more trying con-
flict than had Christ, then He would dot be
able to succor us. But our Saviour took
humanity, with all its liabilities. He took
the nature of man, with the possibility of
yielding to temptation. We have nothing
to bear which He has not endured."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 117.
The Only Acceptable Sacrifice
8.
What only could serve to put
away sin? Heb. 9:22, 23.
NOTE.—"Our condition through sin has
become preternatural, and the power that
restores us must be supernatural, else it has
no value. There is but one power that
can break the hold of evil from the hearts
cf men, and that is the power of God in
Jesus Christ. Only through the blood of
the Crucified One is there cleansing from
sin. His grace alone can enable us to resist
and subdue the tendencies of our fallen
nature."-Testimonies,
vol. 8, p. 291.
9. What price did Jesus pay for the
ransom of humanity? Titus 2:14; 1
Peter 1:18, 19.
NOTE.
-"None
but the Son of God could
accomplish our redemption; for only He
who was in the bosom of the Father could
declare Him. Only He who knew the height
and depth of the love of God could make
it manifest. Nothing less than the infinite
sacrifice made by Christ in behalf of fallen
man could express the Father's love to lost
humanity."-Steps
to Christ,
page 16.
10.
By virtue of our redemption, to
whom do we actually belong? 1 Cor.
6:19, 20.
11.
How many may profit by
Christ's death? Heb. 2:9; Rom. 10:13.
12.
What gracious invitation does
God extend? Isa. 45:22.
NOTE.
-This gift of Jesus belongs to
every believer. Christ is not divided. Each
soul may receive it as if it were meant for
him alone.
It is reported that Lord Kelvin, one of
the wisest men of the nineteenth century,
said, "I feel the greatest discovery I ever
made was when I discovered that Jesus
Christ is my Saviour."
Lesson 5, for July 30, 1955
The Grace of God
MEMORY VERSE:
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of your-
selves: it is the gift of God." Eph. 2:8.
STUDY HELP:
"Steps
to Christ," chapter 3.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Sabbath afternoon: Following the out-
line, survey the entire lesson.
Sunday: Introduction; Questions 1-3.
Monday: Questions 4-6.
Tuesday: Questions 7-9.
Wednesday: Questions 10-12.
Thursday: Read Study Help assignment.
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
I. Introduction
II. Provisions of Divine Grace
1.
Grace since time eternal. 2 Tim.
1:9, 10.
2.
The law must convince man of sin.
Rom. 7 : 7-13.
3.
Repentance, primary condition for
salvation. 1 John 1:9.
III. Operation of Grace
1.
For all men. Titus 2:11.
2.
Saved by grace and faith.
Eph.
2:8.
3.
Abounding grace. Rom. 5:20, last
part.
4.
Works excluded. Rom. 11:6.
5.
Justification by works obscures
grace. Gal. 5:4.
[17]
iV. The Power of Grace
1.
Approaching the throne of grace.
Heb. 4:16.
2.
Transforming grace. 1 Cor. 15:10.
3.
Heirs through grace. Titus 3:5-7.
4.
Stewards of grace. 1 Peter 4:10;
Acts 4:33.
Key Words:
1.
Purpose.
Some of the original mean-
ings of words translated
purpose
in our
English Bibles are: "a word," "thing," "de-
vice," "desire," "deed," "wish," "intention,"
"a setting before," "to devise," "counsel,"
"resolution," "to determine."
2.
Repentance.
This word comes from
Hebrew and Greek words meaning "com-
forted," "eased," "turn back," "to have
another mind," "concerned."
3.
Transform.
The original Greek word
is
tnetamorphoomai,
which is our familiar
English word
metamorphosis—changing
from one form to another, as the caterpillar
to the butterfly.
THE LESSON
Introduction
"All who have ever received grace have
received it from the fullness of Jesus Christ.
This is the common well of salvation, out
of which all believers draw the water of
life: there is no access to God but by Him.
Believers under the law received grace from
this fountain, as well as those under the
gospel: though the measure was different,
yet the fountain was the same; as it is the
same face which is veiled and at another
time unveiled, as it is the same sum written
in figures and at full length in plain words,
so Christ and His grace was the same under
the Old Testament and under the New.
There is no difference in the substance of
the promise and covenant of grace then
and now. Christ is yesterday and today the
same, the difference is only in circum-
stances—the manifestation under the gospel
is clearer, and the propagation of the gos-
pel is now of a larger extent to all nations."
—Colvill, quoted in
6,000 Windows for Ser-
mons,
page 405.
"In the heart renewed by divine grace,
love is the ruling principle of action. It
modifies the character, governs the impulses,
controls the passions, and ennobles the
affections. This love, cherished in the soul,
sweetens the life, and sheds a refining in-
fluence on all around."—The
Acts of the
Apostles,
page 551.
Provisions of Divine Grace
1. When was the provision of di-
vine grace made, and through whom
was it made known? 2 Tim. 1:9, 10.
2.
By what means does God seek
to make sinners conscious of their
need? Rom. 7:7-13.
NOTE.—"When the heart yields to the in-
fluence of the Spirit of God, the conscience
will be quickened, and the sinner will dis-
cern something of the depth and sacredness
of God's holy law, the foundation of His
government in heaven and on earth. The
`Light which lighteth every man that com-
eth into the world,' illumines the secret
chambers of the soul, and the hidden things
of darkness are made manifest. Conviction
takes hold upon the mind and heart."—
Steps to Christ,
pages 27, 28.
3.
What primary condition must
be met in order that salvation may be
obtained? 1 John 1:9; Prov. 28:13.
Compare Jer. 3:12, 13.
NOTE.—"There are many who fail to un-
derstand the true nature of repentance.
Multitudes sorrow that they have sinned,
and even make an outward reformation,
because they fear that their wrongdoing
will bring suffering upon themselves. But
this is not repentance in the Bible sense.
They lament the suffering, rather than the
sin."—Steps to Christ,
page 26.
[ 18 ]
•
MANS FEEBLE EFFORTS TO FREE HIMSELF
FROM THE PRISON OF SIN ARE FUTILE .
CHRIST HAS GIVEN US COMPLETE
FREEDOM?
Operation of Grace
4.
To how many is grace made
available? Titus 2:11. Compare 1 Tim.
2:3, 4.
NoTE.—Titus 2:11 is "more accurately
translated,
For the grace of God hash ap-
peared, bringing salvation to all men. . . .
The [last] expression by no means asserts
that all men
will
be saved by it, but that it
is the
only
means by which salvation is pos-
sible."—Charles J. Ellicott,
Commentary.
5.
How is the sinner saved? Eph.
2:8.
NcrrE.—In our study so far we have
found that the wages of sin is death. It
would follow logically that since all men
have sinned, they are all condemned to
death. But God, in His infinite love and
mercy, has seen fit to pardon those who
accept His salvation by faith (an act of
confidence). To have faith means to ex-
tend one's hand and accept the free gift
which God offers through His Son Jesus
Christ.
"We ourselves owe everything to God's
free grace. Grace in the covenant ordained
our adoption. Grace in the Saviour ef-
fected our redemption, our regeneration,
and our exaltation to heirship with Christ."
—Christ's Object Lessons,
page 250.
6.
Although sin abounds every-
where, what does God offer in over-
abundance? Rom. 5:20, last part.
Compare Luke 7:47; 2 Cor. 9:8.
NOTE.—"Through the love of God the
treasures of the grace of Christ have been
laid open before the church and the world.
'God so loved the world, that He gave His
only-begotten Son, that whosoever be-
lieveth in Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.' What marvelous, unfath-
omable love, which led Christ to die for
us while we were yet sinners! And what
a loss the soul suffers who, understanding
the strong claims of the law, fails to ac-
knowledge that where sin abounds, the
grace of Christ does much more abound !"
—Gospel Workers,
page 157.
7.
How does the apostle Paul com-
pare grace and works in relation to
salvation? Rom. 11:6, last part. Com-
pare Gal. 2:21.
NoTE.—"If the law had been able to save,
transform, justify, and regenerate the hu-
man heart, God would certainly have
spared His Son."—Translation from Ch.
Rochedieu,
Les Tresors du Nouveau Testa-
ment,
page 323.
"Those who extol the law to the detri-
ment of grace as a means of salvation, mis-
lead man by diminishing his sin, and
degrade the law which they deprive of its
absolute and inviolable holiness."—Trans-
lation from
Le Nouveau Testament ex-
plique,
vol. 3, p. 82.
8.
From what are those fallen who
strive to be justified by the law? Gal.
5:4.
NOTE.—By striving for justification
through obedience to the law, by legal obli-
gations, man separates himself from grace,
because he abandons Christ and His grace
to seek his salvation elsewhere.
[19]
The Power of Grace
9.
By what name is the throne of
God called, and what invitation is
given to the sinner? Heb. 4:16.
NOTE.—"To him who is conscious of his
sinful condition, the throne of divine grace
appears as a throne of justice; but it be-
comes the throne of grace for each soul
reconciled with God through Him who in-
tercedes in his favor and who shows com-
passion for his infirmities."—Translation
from Alfred Schroeder,
Le Nouveau Testa-
ment,
vol. 4, p. 52.
10.
To what does the apostle Paul
attribute the miraculous transforma-
tion of his life and the results of his
ministry? 1 Cor. 15:10. Compare 2
Cor. 1:12.
NOTE.—"Those who make God's word
their counselor realize the weakness of the
human heart and the power of the grace of
God to subdue every unsanctified, unholy
impulse."—Testimonies,
vol. 6, p. 161.
11.
How do we become heirs of
salvation? Titus 3:5-7. Compare Gal.
3:29.
12.
To what office is each believer
called? 1 Peter 4:10; Acts 4:33.
NOTE.—"Even if man were capable of
following God's bidding fully, this service
in the form of a fulfilled duty would avail
him nothing. The source of grace is purely
God's love, not the works and efforts of
man."—Translation from
Dictionnaire en-
cyclopedique de la Bible, vol.
1, p. 485.
Lesson 6, for August 6, 1955
God's Grace Complements God's Law
MEMORY VERSE:
"Being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs accord-
ing to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:7.
STUDY HELPS:
"Steps to Christ," pages 61-70; "Christ's Object Lessons," pages
397-413.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Sabbath afternoon: Following the out-
line, survey the entire lesson.
Sunday: Introduction; Questions 1-3.
Monday: Questions 4-7.
Tuesday: Questions 8-10.
Wednesday:'Questions 11-13.
Thursday: Read Study Helps assign-
ments.
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
I. Introduction
II. Grace Manifests God's Love
1. The Lord merciful and gracious.
Ex. 34:5, 6.
2.
Grace of God by Jesus Christ. 1
Cor. 1:3, 4.
3.
The measure of grace.
Eph.
4:7.
III. Grace Justifies the Sinner
1.
Spirit of disobedience. Eph. 2:1, 2.
2.
God's law reveals sin. Rom. 7:7,
12, 13.
[ 20 ]
3.
Law in the heart. Heb. 10:16, 17.
4.
Justified freely by grace. Rom.
3:24, 25.
IV. Grace Restores to a New Life
1.
Jesus tasted death for every man.
Heb. 2:9.
2.
Grace provides a new life. Rom.
6:1-4.
3.
Standing in grace. Rom. 5:1-5.
V. Grace Grows to Perfection
1.
God desires heart service. Deut.
5:29.
2.
Love manifest in obedience. John
14:15, 21.
3.
Growing in grace. 2 Peter 3:18.
Key Words:
1.
Mercy.
The various words used in
the originals have the connotations of
"bowels," "pity," "kindness," "compas-
sion," "propitious," "loving kindness,"
"beneficence," "to be gracious," "tender."
2.
Perfection.
Our English words
per-
fect, perfection,
etc., are used in the Bible
as a translation of numerous words in the
originals with variant meanings, such as
"with understanding," "complete," "to be
prepared," "integrity," "finished, whole."
In the Greek we have the meanings of "ac-
curately," "diligently," "fitted," "to fill or
make full," "completed," "to make an end
of," "to bring to a conclusion."
THE LESSON
Introduction
Except for the eternal stability of God's
law there would have been no need of di-
vine grace nor of grace's sacrificial gift,
Jesus Christ, our Lord. "This was why Je-
sus came as our Redeemer. It was His
mission, by making men partakers of the
divine nature, to bring them into harmony
with the principles of the law of heaven.
When we forsake our sins, and receive
Christ as our Saviour, the law is exalted.
The apostle Paul asks, 'Do we then make
void the law through faith? God forbid;
yea, we establish the law.' [Rom. 3:31.3"—
Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,
page 80. Through the miracle of the new
birth the sinful nature dies, and through
sanctification the believer becomes a par-
taker of the divine nature. The guidance
of the word of God and the ministry of the
divine Spirit guarantee the victory of faith.
Grace Manifests God's Love
1.
How did God reveal His attri-
bute of grace to Moses? Ex. 34:5, 6.
2.
Through whose mutual co-oper-
ation is grace extended? 1 Cor. 1:3, 4.
NOTE.—"In the matchless gift of His Son,
God has encircled the whole world with an
atmosphere of grace, as real as the air
which circulates around the globe. All who
choose to breathe this life-giving atmos-
phere will live, and grow up to the stature
of men and women in Christ Jesus."—
Steps to Christ,
page 72.
3.
How generous is this priceless
gift? Eph. 4:7.
NoTE.—"All that Christ received from
God we too may have. Then ask and re-
ceive. With the persevering faith of Jacob,
with the unyielding persistence of Elijah,
claim for yourself all that God has prom-
ised."—Christ's Object Lessons,
page 149.
Grace Justifies the Sinner
4.
By whose spirit are sinners ac-
tuated? Eph. 2:1, 2.
NOTE.—"Christ saw humanity, through
the working of the mighty growth of sin,
possessed by the prince of the power of the
air and putting forth gigantic strength in
exploits of evil. He saw also that a mightier
power was to meet and conquer Satan.
Now is the judgment of this world,' He
said, 'now shall the prince of this world
be cast out.' John 12:31. He saw that if
human beings believed on Him, they would
be given power against the host of fallen
[ 21 ]
"IN THE MATCHLESS GIFT OF HIS
SON,
GOD HAS
ENCIRCLED THE WHOLE WORLD
WITH AN ATMOSPHERE OF GRACE."
angels, whose name is legion. Christ
strengthened His soul with the thought
that, by the wonderful sacrifice which He
was about to make, the prince of this
world was to be cast out and men and
women placed where, through the grace of
God, they could regain what they had lost."
--Testimonies,
vol. 9, pp. 21, 22.
5.
What standard of holiness con-
victs the sinner? Rom. 7:7, 12, 13.
NOTE.—"The first step in reconciliation
to God, is the conviction of sin. 'Sin is the
transgression of the law.' By the law is
the knowledge of sin.' In order to see his
guilt, the sinner must test his character by
God's great standard of righteousness. It
is a mirror which shows the perfection of
a righteous character, and enables him to
discern the defects in his own.
"The law reveals to man his sins, but it
provides no remedy. While it promises life
to the obedient, it declares that death is the
portion of the transgressor. The gospel of
Christ alone can free him from the con-
demnation or the defilement of sin. He
must exercise repentance toward God,
whose law has been transgressed; and faith
in Christ, his atoning sacrifice. Thus he ob-
tains 'remission of sins that are past,' and
becomes a partaker of the divine nature.
He is a child of God, having received the
spirit of adoption, whereby he cries, `Abba,
Father!'
"—The Great Controversy,
pages
467, 468.
6.
Under the covenant of
grace
what is man's relation to the law of
God? Heb. 10:16, 17.
keep His commandments.' He that saith, I
know Him, and keepeth not His command-
ments, is a liar, and the truth is not in
him.' Instead of releasing man from obe-
dience, it is faith, and faith only, that
makes us partakers of the grace of Christ,
which enables us to render obedience."—
Steps to Christ,
pages 65, 66.
7.
What does grace do for the re-
pentant sinner? Rom. 3:24, 25.
NorE.—"What is justification by faith?
It is the work of God in laying the glory of
man in the dust, and doing for man that
which it is not in his power to do for him-
self."—Testimonies to Ministers,
page 456.
Webster's definition of justification is:
"A being accepted by or made acceptable to
God, as righteous or worthy of salvation."
Grace Restores to a New Life
NOTE.—"He who is trying to become
holy, by his own works in keeping the law,
is attempting an impossibility. All that man
can do without Christ is polluted with self-
ishness and sin. It is the grace of Christ
alone, through faith, that can make us holy.
"The opposite and no less dangerous er-
ror is, that belief in Christ releases men
from keeping the law of God; that since by
faith alone we become partakers of the
grace of Christ, our works have nothing to
do with our redemption. . . . The Scrip-
ture says, 'This is the love of God, that we
8. How does God's grace ensure
salvation from sin? Heb. 2:9.
NoTE.—"The Son of God, heaven's
glorious Commander, was touched with
pity for the fallen race. His heart was
moved with infinite compassion as the
woes of the lost world rose up before Him.
But divine love had conceived a plan
whereby man might be redeemed. The
[ 22 I
broken law of God demanded the life of
the sinner. In all the universe there was
but one who could, in behalf of man,
satisfy its claims. Since the divine law is as
sacred as God Himself, only one equal
with God could make atonement for its
transgression. None but Christ could re-
deem fallen man from the curse of the
law, and bring him again into harmony
with Heaven. Christ would take upon
Himself the guilt and shame of sin,—sin
so offensive to a holy God that it must
separate the Father and His Son. Christ
would reach to the depths of misery to
rescue the ruined
race."—Patriarchs and
Prophets,
page 63.
9.
How does the repentant sinner
share in Christ's death? Rom. 6:1-4.
NOTE.—"The work of redemption in-
volves consequences of which it is difficult
for man to have any conception. 'Eye hath
not seen, nor ear heard, neither have en-
tered into the heart of man, the things
which God bath prepared for them that
love Him.' As the sinner, drawn by the
power of Christ, approaches the uplifted
cross, and prostrates himself before it,
there is a new creation. A new heart is
given him. He becomes a new creature in
Christ Jesus. Holiness finds that it has
nothing more to require. God Himself is
`the justifier of him which believeth in Je-
sus.' And 'whom He justified, them He
also glorified.; Great as is the shame and
degradation through sin, even greater will
be the honor and exaltation through re-
deeming love. To human beings striving
for conformity to the divine image there is
imparted an outlay of heaven's treasure,
an excellency of power, that will place
them higher than even the angels who have
never
fallen."—Christ's Object Lessons,
pages 162, 163.
10.
What transformation is
wrought through justification? Rom.
5:1-5.
NOTE.—"The apostle Paul clearly pre-
sents the relation between faith and the
law under the new covenant. He says:
`Being
justified by faith,
we have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.'
`Do we then make void the law through
faith? God forbid; yea, we establish the
law.' 'For what the law could not do, in
that it was weak through the flesh,'—it
could not justify man, because in his sinful
nature he could not keep the law,—`God
sending His own Son in the likeness of sin-
ful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the
flesh; that
the righteousness of the law
might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after
the flesh, but after the Spirit.'
"—Patri-
archs and Prophets,
page 373.
Grace Grows to Perfection
11.
Why did God desire heart serv-
ice from the children of Israel? Deut.
5:29.
NoTE.—"The law was not spoken at this
time exclusively for the benefit of the He-
brews. God honored them by making them
the guardians and keepers of His law, but
it was to be held as a sacred trust for the
whole world. The precepts of the Decalogue
are adapted to all mankind, and they were
given for the instruction and government
of all. Ten precepts, brief, comprehensive,
and authoritative, cover the duty of man
to God and to his fellow man; and all
based upon the great fundamental principle
of love. 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul,
and with all thy strength, and with all thy
mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.' In
the Ten Commandments these principles
are carried out in detail, and made appli-
cable to the condition and circumstances of
man."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 305.
12.
How will the love of Christ in
the heart be. revealed? John 14:15, 21;
Rom. 13:8-10.
NOTE.—"Righteousness is holiness, like-
ness to God; and 'God is love.' It is con-
formity to the law of God; for 'all Thy
commandments are righteousness;' and
`love is the fulfilling of the law.' Righteous-
ness is love, and love is the light and the
life of God. The righteousness of God is
embodied in Christ. We receive righteous-
ness by receiving
Him."—Thoughts From
the Mount of Blessing,
page 34.
[
23 ]
13. How is the believer to grow
up to the pattern of Christian perfec-
tion? 2 Peter 3:18; 1 Peter 5:10.
NOTE.—"It is our duty to receive His
word, which is plain on every point essen-
tial to the salvation of the soul, and prac-
tice its principles in our life, teaching them
to others both by precept and example.
Thus it will be evident to the world that
we have a connection with God and im-
plicit confidence in His word. A life of
godliness, a daily example of integrity,
meekness, and unselfish love, will be
a
living exemplification of the teaching of
God's word, and it will be an argument in
favor of the Bible which few will be able
to
resist."—Testimonies, vol.
5, p. 706.
THE IMPORTANCE
OF SABBATH-SCHOOL GIVING
H
OW fitting it is that the missions feature should be a prominent
part of every Sabbath-school session, and that each member in
each division should be encouraged to bring a liberal offering as he
enters the house of God on Sabbath morning. The Sabbath school
is
the church at study. The subject is the love of God, who made the
supreme gift of His Son for the salvation of men. This is the one
grand theme of the Bible. The human agents seeking the lost are
those men and women who have themselves believed and who long
to give their all in order to be channels of that divine blessing which
has brought them eternal life.
So, regularly every week in the year, and in every division of the
Sabbath school, the mission appeal is given. The marvelous results of
our past liberality are revealed in the thrilling reports from the fields
beyond. We are reminded, too, of the lands of earth where the mes-
sage of present truth is still unknown. May we continue to give of our
abundance in these closing days of opportunity.
The foreign missions program of the church largely depends
upon the offerings received in the Sabbath school. These gifts have
been a rich and unfailing source of supply for the world-wide harvest
field. But the task is not yet done. The calls for more workers and
more facilities continue to multiply. Some overseas fields have been
obliged to reduce their staff of laborers for want of sufficient funds to
meet the rapidly increasing costs that have overtaken them. We must
by all means see to it that this condition is temporary and soon reme-
died. Every Sabbath-school member is under the most solemn obliga-
tion to make sure that he is doing his full part in bringing bountiful
gifts to the treasury of heaven, and thus having a share in hastening
the Lord's return.
[
24
]
Lesson 7, for August 13, 1955
Redemption
MEMORY VERSE:
"In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgive-
ness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." Eph. 1:7.
STUDY HELP:
"The Desire of Ages," chapter 1.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Sabbath afternoon: Following the out-
line, survey the entire lesson.
Sunday: Introduction; Questions 1-3.
Monday: Questions 4-6.
Tuesday: Questions 7-9.
Wednesday: Questions 10-12.
Thursday: Read Study Help assignment.
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
I. Introduction
II. The Sinner a Hopeless Captive
1.
All guilty in the sight of God. Rom.
3:23.
2.
Guilt in one transgression. James
2:10, 11.
3.
The sinner delivered into Satan's
hands. John 8:34, 44.
4.
He cannot pay his own ransom.
Ps. 49:6-8.
III. God's Intervention
1.
Redeemed by the blood of Christ.
1 Peter 1:18, 19.
2.
God sent His Son. Gal. 4:4, 5.
3.
Sin condemned in the flesh. Rom.
8:3; 2 Cor. 5:21.
IV. Complete Redemption
1.
In Christ. 1 Cor. 1:30.
2.
From all iniquity and power of
sin. Titus 2:14.
3.
The redeemed must glorify God in
body and soul. 1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23.
4.
Final fulfillment of redemption.
Eph. 4:30.
5.
Reason for praise. Eph. 1:6, 7.
Key Words:
1.
Guilt.
In the originals, as in our
English word, the general idea of culpabil-
ity is represented, together with the fol-
lowing: "wicked," "under justice," "in-
debted," "held in," "subject to."
2.
Captive, Captivity.
These words in
the originals usually carry the idea of "re-
moval," "exile." The means by which this
is accomplished is sometimes indicated, such
as "to take by the spear," "to catch alive."
3.
Redeem, Redemption.
Our English
word
redeem,
meaning "to buy back," as
used in the Bible stands for the usual He-
brew words meaning "to free," with the ac-
companying idea of "avenging," or "repay-
ing." Some words also have the ideas
expressed by "separation," "to break off,"
"rend," "deliver," "to acquire." Likewise,
in the Greek, "to loose by a price," "to
acquire at the forum," "a loosing."
THE LESSON
Introduction
The Sinner a Hopeless Captive
"We shall understand God's compassion
just in proportion as we appreciate His
sacrifice for us. As we search the word of
God in humility of heart, the grand theme
of redemption will open to our research."
-Christ's Object Lessons,
page 129.
[25
1
1.
How many are guilty of sin?
Rom. 3:23.
2.
How many commandments must
be transgressed before one is found
guilty in the sight of God? James
2:10, 11.
NoTE.—"From the very beginning of the
great controversy in heaven, it has been
Satan's purpose to overthrow the law of
God. It was to accomplish this that he
entered upon his rebellion against the
Creator; and though he was cast out of
heaven, he has continued the same war-
fare upon the earth. To deceive men, and
thus lead them to transgress God's law,
is the object which he has steadfastly pur-
sued. Whether this be accomplished by
casting aside the law altogether, or by re-
jecting one of its precepts, the result will
be ultimately the same. He that offends
`in one point,' manifests contempt for the
whole law; his influence and example are
on the side of transgression; he becomes
`guilty of all.' [James
2:10.]"—The Great
Controversy,
page 582.
3.
To what class does one belong
who subjects himself to sin? Whose
son does he become? John 8:34, 44.
Compare Rom. 6:16.
4.
What can be said of human ef-
fort in effecting the sinner's deliver-
ance? Ps. 49:6-8. Compare Ezek. 7:19;
Jer. 13:23.
NoTE.—Man, created in the image of
God, disobeyed and became a sinner. He
cannot cease being a sinner through his
own power.
"As through Christ every human being
has life, so also through Him every soul
receives some ray of divine light. Not only
intellectual but spiritual power, a percep-
tion of right, a desire for goodness, exists
in every heart. But against these princi-
ples there is struggling an antagonistic
power. The result of the eating of the
tree of knowledge of good and evil is mani-
fest in every man's experience. There is in
iris nature a bent to evil, a force which, un-
aided, he cannot resist. To withstand this
force, to attain that ideal which in his in-
most soul he accepts as alone worthy, he
can find help in but one power. That
power is Christ. Co-operation with that
power is man's greatest need. In all edu-
cational effort should not this co-operation
be the highest aim
?"—Education,
page 29.
God's Intervention
5.
What price did God pay for our
ransom? 1 Peter 1:18, 19. Compare
1 Tim. 2:5, 6.
NOTE.—"All men have been bought with
this infinite price. By pouring the whole
treasury of heaven into this world, by giv-
ing us in Christ all heaven, God has pur-
chased the will, the affections, the mind,
the soul, of every human being. Whether
believers or unbelievers, all men are the
Lord's property."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page 326.
6.
What means did God provide in
order to redeem man? Gal. 4:4, 5.
NOTE.—
"
If I [Christ] become the pro-
pitiation for the sins of men, the world will
be lighted up. Satan's hold upon the souls
of men will be broken. The defaced image
of God will be restored in humanity, and
a family of believing saints will finally in-
herit the heavenly home."—The
Desire of
Ages,
page 625.
7.
What condition did Christ ac-
cept that sin in the flesh might be
condemned? Rom. 8:3; 2 Cor. 5:21.
NOTE.—"Had He come clothed with the
brightness of heaven, He could not have
found access to men in their sinful state.
They could not have endured the glory of
His presence. Therefore He humbled Him-
self, and was made 'in the likeness of sin-
ful flesh,' that He might reach the fallen
race, and lift them
up."—Patriarchs and
Prophets,
page 330.
[ 26 ]
THE BANK OF HEAVEN WAS EMPTIED TO
REDEEM MAN AT AN INFINITE PRICE.
Complete Redemption
8.
What has Christ been made for
us? 1 Cor. 1:30.
NoTE.—Christ has atoned for the sins
of men—that is, He has borne in their
stead the punishment they deserved.
"Christ was treated • as we deserve, that
we might be treated as He deserves. He
was condemned for our sins, in which He
had no share, that we might be justified
by His righteousness, in which we had no
share. He suffered the death which was
ours, that we might receive the life which
was
His."—The Desire of Ages,
page 25.
9.
From what has Christ redeemed
us?
ANSWER:
a.
From the curse of the law.
Gal. 3:13.
b.
From all iniquity. Titus 2:14.
c.
From sin. Rom. 6:18, 22.
d.
From this present evil world. Gal. 1:4.
e.
From our vain conversation received
by tradition from our fathers. 1 Peter 1:18,
last part.
NOTE.—"The work of redemption in-
volves consequences of which it is difficult
for man to have any conception. 'Eye hath
not seen, nor ear heard, neither have en-
tered into the heart of man, the things
which God hath prepared for them that
love Him.' As the sinner, drawn by the
power of Christ, approaches the uplifted
cross, and prostrates himself before it,
there is a new creation."—Christ's
Object
Lessons,
pages 162, 163.
10.
What will one do who realizes
the price of his redemption? 1 Cor.
6:20; 7:23.
NoTE.
—
"All
are called to do service for
Him, and for the manner in which they
have met this claim, all will be required to
render an account at the great judgment
day."—Christ's Object Lessons,
page 326.
11.
When will redemption be com-
pletely achieved? Eph. 4:30. Com-
pare Phil. 3:20, 21.
NoTE.—"Had Satan and his host then
been left to reap the full result of their
sin, they would have perished; but it would
not have been apparent to heavenly beings
that this was the inevitable result of sin.
A doubt of God's goodness would have re-
mained in their minds as evil seed, to pro-
duce its deadly fruit of sin and woe.
"But not so when the great controversy
shall be ended. Then, the plan of redemp-
tion having been completed, the character
of God is revealed to all created intelli-
gences. The precepts of His law are seen
to be perfect and immutable. Then sin
has made manifest its nature, Satan his
character. Then the extermination of sin
will vindicate God's love and establish
His honor before a universe of beings who
delight to do His will, and in _whose heart
is His
law."—The Desire of Ages,
page 764.
12.
What ground for praise is thus
established? Eph. 1:6, 7. Compare
Col. 1:12-14.
[27
]
Lesson 8, for August 20, 1955
The Atonement
MEMORY VERSE:
"Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Him-
self for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor."
Eph. 5:2.
STUDY HELP:
"The Desire of Ages," chapter 78.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Sabbath afternoon: Following the out-
line, survey the entire lesson.
Sunday: Introduction; Questions 1-3.
Monday: Questions 4-6.
Tuesday: Questions 7-9.
Wednesday: Questions 10-12.
Thursday: Read Study Help assignment.
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
I. Introduction
II. God's Abhorrence of Sin
1.
Sin separates man from God. Isa.
59:1, 2.
2.
God initiates reconciliation. 2 Cor.
5:19.
3.
His Son is the instrument. 2 Cor.
5:21.
4.
The iniquities of the world fall on
Jesus. Isa. 53:4-6.
III. The Sacrificial System
1.
The atonement taught in the Old
Testament. Ex. 30:10.
2.
The blood of animals not sufficient
to eradicate sin. Micah 6:6, 7;
Heb. 10:4-9.
IV. The True Sacrifice
1. Christ's sacrifice atones for sin.
Heb. 10:10-12.
2.
Christ gave Himself. Eph. 5:2.
3.
"The Lamb of God, which taketh
away the sin of the world." John
1:29, 36.
4.
He is expiatory victim for sins of
entire world. 1 John 2:2.
5.
Blessings of forgiveness. Rom.
4:6-8.
6.
The song of the redeemed. Rev.
5:9.
Key Words:
1.
Atonement.
In
the original He-
brew this word has the one idea of "cover-
ing." In its sole appearance in the New
Testament (Rom. 5:11), the Greek word
means "reconciliation."
2.
Sacrifice.
In nearly every reference
where our English Bible uses the word
sac-
rifice,
the original Hebrew and Greek use
words indicating "a slaughtered animal."
A few references indicate a "festival," and
a few "an offering" or "present."
THE LESSON
Introduction
"The fact of sin is a universal conscious-
ness which does not have to be proved.
Everyone is painfully conscious that he
knows better than he does, and this
knowledge produces the sense of guilt from
which all men seek to escape."-J. E. Co-
nant,
D.D.,
The Sheer Logic of Atone-
ment by Substitution,
pages 5, 6.
"Upon Christ as our substitute and
surety was laid the iniquity of us all."-
The Desire of Ages,
page 753.
E 28 I
God's Abhorrence of Sin
1.
What has caused man's separa-
tion from God? Isa. 59:1, 2.
2.
Who initiated and effected the
reconciliation? 2 Cor. 5:19.
3.
How did God treat His Son be-
cause of sin? Why? 2 Cor. 5:21.
NoTE.—"I appeal to all who profess to
believe the truth, to consider the character
and life of the Son of God. He is our ex-
ample. His life was marked with disin-
terested benevolence. He was ever touched
with human woe. He went about doing
good. There was not one selfish act in' all
his life. His love for the fallen race, His
desire to save them, was so great that He
took upon Himself the wrath of His Fa-
ther, and consented to suffer the penalty
of that transgression which plunged guilty
man in degradation. He bore the sins of
man in His own body. 'He hath made
Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin;
that we might be made the righteousness of
God in Him.'
"—Testimonies, vol.
1, p. 482.
4.
In what language did the prophet
Isaiah foretell Christ's sufferings? Isa.
5 3:4-6.
NOTE.—Let us emphasize a few expres-
sions used by the prophet Isaiah to paint
the picture of the atonement through the
Messiah's sufferings:
"Smitten
of God, and
afflicted.. . .
Wounded for our transgres-
sions, . . . bruised for our iniquities: the
chastisement
of
our
peace was upon Him.
. . . And the Lord bath laid on Him the
iniquity
of us all." (Italics supplied.)
"While as a member of the human
family He was mortal, as God He was the
fountain of life for the world. He could
have withstood the advances of death, and
refused to come under its dominion; but
voluntarily He laid down His life, that He
might bring life and immortality to light.
He bore the sin of the world, endured its
WE CAN COME BOLDLY TO THE THRONE OF
GRACE, FOR CHRIST 15 OUR HIGH PRIEST.
curse, yielded up His life as a sacrifice, that
men might not eternally
die."—The Desire
of Ages,
page 484.
The Sacrificial System
5.
How is the atonement doctrine
taught by the sacrificial system? Ex.
30:10. Compare Lev. 16:15-17.
NOTE.—"They [Cain and Abel] were
acquainted with the provision made for
the salvation of man, and understood the
system of offerings which God had or-
dained. They knew that in these offerings
they were to express faith in the Saviour
whom the offerings typified, and at the
same time to acknowledge their total de-
pendence on Him for pardon; and they
knew that by thus conforming to the di-
vine plan for their redemption, they were
giving proof of their obedience to the will
of
God."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page
71.
6.
Was it possible for the blood of
goats and bulls to take away sin?
Micah 6:6, 7; Heb. 10:4-9.
NOTE.—"In patriarchal times the sacri-
ficial offerings connected with divine wor-
ship constituted a perpetual reminder of
the coming of a Saviour; and thus it was
with the entire ritual of the sanctuary
[29]
services throughout Israel's history. In the
ministration of the tabernacle, and of the
temple that afterward took its place, the
people were taught each day, by means of
types and shadows, the great truths rela-
tive to the advent of Christ as Redeemer,
Priest, and King;' and once each year their
minds were carried forward to the closing
events of the great controversy between
Christ and Satan, the final purification of
the universe from sin and sinners. The
sacrifices and offerings of the Mosaic ritual
were ever pointing toward a better service,
even a heavenly. The earthly sanctuary
was 'a figure for the time then present,' in
which were offered both gifts and sacrifices;
its two holy places were 'patterns of things
in the heavens ;' for Christ, our great High
Priest, is today 'a minister of the sanctu-
ary, and of the true tabernacle, which the
Lord pitched, and not
man.' "—Prophets
and Kings,
pages 684, 685.
The True Sacrifice
7.
By what single sacrifice are we
sanctified and our sins expiated? Heb.
10:10-12.
8.
How far did Jesus go in His
love for us? Eph. 5:2.
9.
With what words did John the
Baptist present Jesus? John 1:29, 36.
NOTE.—"John had been deeply moved
as he saw Jesus bowed as a suppliant,
pleading with tears for the approval of the
Father. As the glory of God encircled Him,
and the voice from heaven was heard, John
recognized the token which God had prom-
ised. He knew that it was the world's Re-
deemer whom he had baptized. The Holy
Spirit rested upon him, and with out-
stretched hand pointing to Jesus, he cried,
`Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh
away the sin of the world.'
"—The Desire
of Ages,
page 112.
10.
In reality what is Christ for
us? 1 John 2:2; 4:10.
NOTE.—"The word 'propitiation' means
God's propitious action of covering sin by
means of a sacrifice. . . . Jesus is our pro-
pitiation by virtue of His holy being, His
life of surrender and obedience, even unto
His death on the cross."—Translation from
Louis Bonnet,
Le Nouveau Testament ex-
plique,
vol. 4, p. 255.
11.
What is said of him whose in-
iquities are forgiven? Rom. 4:6-8.
Compare Ps. 32:1.
12.
What will be the central theme
of the song of the redeemed? Rev. 5:9.
Lesson 9, for August 27, 1955
Calling and Election
MEMORY VERSE:
"Make your calling and election sure."
STUDY HELP:
"Patriarchs and Prophets," chapter 5.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
2 Peter
1:10.
Sabbath afternoon: Following the out-
line, survey the entire lesson.
Sunday: Introduction; Questions 1-3.
Monday: Questions 4-6.
Tuesday: Questions 7-9.
Wednesday: Questions 10-12.
Thursday: Read Study Help assignment.
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
[ 30 ]
Lesson Outline:
I. Introduction
II. Scope and Conditions of Election
1.
God calls us all to repentance and
salvation. Acts 17:30.
2.
Distinction between "called" and
"elected." Matt. 22:14.
3.
The governing factor in God's call.
Rom. 8:28.
III. God's Eternal Purpose
1.
The plan of election drawn up be-
fore the foundation of the world.
Eph. 1:4; 3:11.
2.
God foresees who will answer His
call. Rom. 8:29, 30.
3.
God's foreknowledge. 1 Peter 1:2.
4.
God's purpose for us. Eph. 1:5.
IV. God's Foreknowledge and Man's
Choice
1.
Divine foreknowledge does not
annul individual liberty. Deut.
30:19.
2.
Called according to grace, not
works. 2 Tim. 1:9.
3.
The election does not take personal
merit into account. Rom. 9:11.
4.
The elect must confirm their call-
ing and election. 2 Peter 1:10.
5.
When Christ returns, He will as-
semble the elect. Matt. 24:31.
Key Words:
1.
Call, Calling.
In Hebrew we have
the following thoughts expressed: "to say,"
"to cause to come," "to cry as for help,"
"to cry," "to put or place," "to cause to
hear." And in the Greek we have the fol-
lowing: "to say," "to speak," "to name,"
"to lay out in order," "to sound
(phoneo)"
"invited," as in Matthew 22:14, "to address
publicly."
2.
Elect, Election.
Both in the Hebrew
and in the Greek the idea expressed is
"chosen," "choice." God's elect are His
chosen ones.
3.
Foreknowledge.
This is a New Tes-
tament term from the Greek,
prognosis,
"a
knowing beforehand." Note our medical
term,
prognosis.
THE LESSON
Introduction
"There is no election but one's own by
which any may perish. God has set forth
in His word the conditions upon which
every soul will be elected to eternal life-
obedience to His commandments, through
faith in Christ. God has elected a character
in harmony with His law, and anyone who
shall reach the standard of His require-
ment, will have an entrance into the king-
dom of
glory."-Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 207.
"Man is elected to work out his own
salvation with fear and trembling. He is
elected to put on the armor, to fight the
good fight of faith. He is elected to use
the means God has placed within his reach
to war against every unholy lust, while
Satan is playing the game of life for his
soul. He is elected to watch unto prayer,
to search the Scriptures, and to avoid en-
tering into temptation. He is elected to
have faith continually. He is elected to be
' obedient to every word that proceedeth out
of the mouth of God, that he may be, not
a hearer only, but a doer of the word. This
is Bible
election."-Testimonies to Minis-
ters,
page 454.
Scope and Conditions of Election
1.
How many are invited to salva-
tion through repentance? Acts 17:30.
2.
How many accept the call? Matt.
22:14. Compare verses 3-8.
NoTE.-"God gives the call with the hope
that all who hear it will be saved. But
neither the call nor its acceptance suffices
E 31 I
GOD CALLS ALL MEN TO THE WAY OF
LIFE;
BUT
EACH ONE CHOOSES THE WAY
HE DESIRES TO O.
for that. . . . In addition, an act of sover-
eign grace is required. However, this act
is not merely arbitrary. God possesses the
secret to harmonize it with human free-
dom; so that in the end, those who are
rejected must blame themselves, and the
saved obtain their salvation purely through
the grace of God."—Translation from Louis
Bonnet,
Le Nouveau Testament explique,
vol.
1, p. 223.
3.
What governs God's call to us?
Rom. 8:28.
God's Eternal Purpose
4.
When did God form His plan
of election? Eph. 1:4; 3:11. Com-
pare 2 Thess. 2:13.
5.
What progressive steps does
Paul mention in the working out of
God's purpose? Rom. 8:29, 30.
NOTE.—Paul here constructs a stairway
to heaven, beginning with God's foreknowl-
edge and ending with man's glorification.
There may be perplexities connected with
some of the steps outlined, but there is ab-
solute certainty in God's purpose to re-
deem the faithful. "In all that happens
[He] is carrying out His own fixed pur-
pose." Eph. 1:11,
The Twentieth Century
New Testament.
"God never leads His children otherwise
than they would choose to be led, if they
could see the end from the beginning, and
discern the glory of the purpose which
they are fulfilling as co-workers with Him."
—The Desire of Ages,
pages 224, 225.
6.
In what words does Peter refer
to the elect? 1 Peter 1:2.
NoTE.—The apostle deals with
election
in three phases, related to the three Per-
sons of the Godhead. (1) Its
origin—"ac-
cording to the foreknowledge of God," not
as an afterthought, but in the execution of
His predetermined plan;
(2)
The
means—
"through sanctification of the Spirit," a
phrase used also in 2 Thessalonians 2:13 ;
(3)
The end—"obedience and sprinkling of
the blood of Jesus Christ."
7.
What has God purposed to do
for us through Christ? Eph. 1:5.
NOTE.—"From eternity, moved only by
pity for our lost state and not at all by any
foreseen good in us, . . . God resolved to
save, not all men promiscuously, but only
those who should believe the gospel. This
doctrine is a restatement of the fundamen-
tal doctrine of salvation through faith,
from the point of a view of the eternal
forethought of God. Whatever God does
in time, He purposed from eternity."—
Agar Beet,
Epistle to the Romans,
page
280.
God's Foreknowledge and
Man's Choice
8.
How do we know that God's
foresight does not efface individual
freedom of choice? Deut. 30:19.
NoTE.—Imagine two men walking to-
gether along a road. Soon they encounter
a fork in the road. One turns left, the
[ 32 ]
other turns right. Did God foresee which
path each of these men would follow? The
answer is undeniably Yes. Nevertheless,
each was absolutely free to make his own
choice. So it is with the elect. They are
perfectly free to do right or wrong; but
God foresees the choice they will make,
and so He has predestined to life eternal
those who would choose the right way and
accept salvation through Jesus Christ. Rom.
8:28.
9.
According to what are we called
with a holy calling? 2 Tim. 1:9.
10.
What shows that election is not
made according to works? Rom. 9:11.
11.
What is necessary on our part
to ensure our salvation? 2 Peter 1:10.
12.
Who will be gathered when Je-
sus returns in glory? Matt. 24:31.
NOTE.—"In the time of trial before us
God's pledge of security will be placed
upon those who have kept the word of His
patience. Christ will say to His faithful
ones: 'Come, My people, enter thou into
thy chambers, and shut thy doors about
thee: hide thyself as it were for a little
moment, until the indignation be overpast.'
Isaiah 26:20. The Lion of Judah, so terri-
ble to the rejectors of His grace, will be the
Lamb of God to the obedient and faithful.
The pillar of cloud which speaks wrath and
terror to the transgressor of God's law is
light and mercy and deliverance to those
who have kept His commandments. The
arm strong to smite the rebellious will be
strong to deliver the loyal. Every faithful
one will surely be
gathered."—Testimonies,
vol. 6, p. 404.
Lesson 10, for September 3, 1955
Justification
MEMORY VERSE:
"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so
by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous." Rom. 5:19.
STUDY HELP:
"Steps to Christ," pages 64-69.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Sabbath afternoon: Following the out-
line, survey the entire lesson.
Sunday: Introduction; Questions 1-3.
Monday: Questions
4-6.
Tuesday: Questions 7-9.
Wednesday: Questions 10-12.
Thursday: Read Study Help assignment.
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
I. Introduction
II. Sinner Not Justified by Works
1.
All are sinners and condemned to
die. Rom. 5:12.
2.
None justified through works. Rom.
3:20.
3.
Whosoever tries to be justified by
law falls from grace. Gal. 2:21;
5:4.
4.
Christ came to save sinners. 1 Tim.
1:15.
III. God's Gracious Gift
1.
Only means of salvation. Eph. 2:8,
10; Acts 4:12.
2.
Faith and law. Rom. 3:31.
133
1
3.
Christ made to be sin for us. 1 Cor.
1:30.
4.
This righteousness imputed to all
who believe. Rom. 3:20-22.
5.
Definitions of justification. Rom.
5:16-19.
IV., God's Unchanging Plan
1.
In Old Testament. Isa. 53:11; Hab.
2:4.
2.
In New Testament. Rom. 1:17;
9:30.
3.
Outworking of this plan in the life.
Rom. 5:1, 2 ; 8:4.
Key Words:
1. Just, Justification.
Interesting con-
notations of these words in the original are:
"right," "upright," "straight," "righteous,"
"finished," "perfect," "whole," "according
to justice," "judgment," "judicial sentence,"
"declaration of right," "to become right,"
"to make right," "to declare right."
2.
Impute.
Our English word
impute,
meaning "to ascribe," "to credit," "to
charge," is essentially the same thought as
expressed in the original Hebrew and Greek
words which mean "to think, devise,
reckon," "to put, place, set," "to count,"
"reckon," "to bring into account."
3.
Establish.
In the original, this word
carries the ideas of "to strengthen," "to
harden," "to set up," "to lay a foundation,"
"to prepare," "to cause to stand," "to con-
firm," "to make stable," "to become
strong," "to make straight."
THE LESSON
Introduction
"Because sin holds man in its grasp, he
cannot be justified by the works of the law.
The law offers death instead of justifica-
tion. Only those who claim Christ's re-
deeming power by faith can be justified
before God. God does not hold him re-
sponsible for his sins. He forgives him, and
removes from him the punishment he has
deserved. This is the
negative
element of
justification.
Rom. 4:5-8; Gal. 3:11; 2 Cor.
5:19. God counts the believer's faith as
righteousness. He sees the sinner only
through Jesus Christ, whose obedience and
holiness become to the sinner his possession
by faith. This is the
positive element
of jus-
tification. Rom. 4:5 ; Phil. 3:9.
"In other words, justification is an ab-
solutely free gift; all possibility for man's
self-exaltation is removed. What justifies
man, therefore, are not the works of the
law, but only the grace of God manifested
in Jesus Christ."—Translation from F.
Bonifas,
Essai sur Punite de l'enseignement
apostolique,
page 115.
Sinner Not Justified by Works
1. What brought death, and why
must everyone endure it? Rom. 5:12.
2.
Why is it impossible for the sin-
ner to be justified before God by his
own works? Rom. 3:20. Compare
Gal. 2:16.
3.
What happens when a person
tries to be justified by the law? Gal.
2:21; 5:4.
NOTE.—"Everyone who seeks righteous-
ness without Christ, either by works, merits,
satisfactions, afflictions, or by the law, re-
jects the grace of God, and despises the
death of Christ."—Martin Luther,
A Com-
mentary on St. Paul's Epistle to the Gala-
tians,
a new abridged translation by Theo-
dore Graebner,
D.D.,
page 85.
4.
What faithful saying is worthy
of acceptance by all?
1
Tim. 1:15.
God's Gracious Gift
5.
What, then, is the sole means by
which salvation can be obtained? Eph.
2:8, 10; Acts 4:12; Rom. 3:24.
[ 34 ]
R IGHTEOU5NE55.
.
WE
WILL NEVER FILL THE PATTERN OUR-
SELVES. CHRIST COMPLETES
OUR
CHARACTER WITH HIS PERFECT LIFE.
6.
What is the relation of faith to
the law? Rom. 3:31.
NOTE.—"The gospel of salvation by faith
comes far from annihilating the law—
rather it establishes it more firmly. Christ's
perfect obedience and especially His aton-
ing sacrifice are an obvious sanction of the
law's inviolable holiness."—Translation
froth Louis Bonnet,
Le Nouveau Testament
explique,
vol. 3, p. 56.
7.
What was Jesus made for us?
1 Cor. 1:30.
NOTE:---
1
"This righteousness which God
iniputes
-
to ' us is 'an act ' of divine grace.
God erases our rightfully deSered con-
demnatton and.;places us, as believers, be-
fore -Him in the positiOn of being righteous.
Such an act was made possible through the
death and resurrection of Jesus Christ."—
Translation from F. Godet,
Commentaire
sur la premiere epitre aux corinthiens, vol.
1, p.
109.
8.
To whom are justification and
righteousness given? Rom. 3:20-22.
NoTE.—"We have no righteousness of our
own with which to meet the claims of the
law of God. But Christ has made a way
of escape for us. He lived on earth amid
trials and temptations such as we have to
meet. He lived a sinless life. He died for
us, and now He offers to take our sins and
give us His righteousness. If you give your-
self to Him, and accept Him as your Sav-
iour, then, sinful as your life may have
been, for His sake you are accounted right-
eous. Christ's character stands in place of
your character, and you are accepted be-
fore God just as if you had not sinned."—
Steps to Christ,
page 67.
9.
How does Paul contrast the
power of sin and death with the
power of imputed righteousness?
Rom. 5:16-19.
NoTE.—"The proud heart strives to earn
salvation; but both our title to heaven and
our fitness for it are found in the righteous-
ness of Christ."—The
Desire of Ages,
page
300.
God's Unchanging Plan
10.
In what terms do writers in
the Old Testament refer to the divine
plan of salvation? isa. 53:11; Hab.
2:4.
11.
How is justification by grace
expressed in the New Testament?
Rom. 1:17; 9:30.
NOTE.—"The Lord can do nothing to-
ward the recovery of man until, convinced
of his own weakness, . . . he yields him-
self to the control of God. Then he can re-
ceive the gift that God is waiting to be-
stow."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 300.
12.
What are the effects of justifica-
tion on the person who sincerely ac-
cepts it by faith?
1
35
ANSWER:
a.
Peace. Rom. 5:1, 2.
b.
He produces good works. Eph. 2:10.
c.
The law is fulfilled in him. Rom. 8:4,
first part.
d.
He walks not after the flesh, but the
Spirit. Rom. 8:4, last part.
NorE.-"If God Himself had not re-
established harmony between the Creator
and the creature, the latter could never
have recovered his supreme possession,
peace. For peace can only fill the heart
when God declares it justified by faith
through the Saviour's sacrifice in behalf of
our sins. In other words, peace is born of
grace, the assurance of forgiveness, and rec-
onciliation with God."-Translation from
Le Nouveau Testament explique, vol.
3, p.
62.
Lesson 11, for September 10, 1955
Regeneration
MEMORY VERSE:
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible,
by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." 1 Peter 1:23.
STUDY HELP:
"Steps to Christ," chapter, "Growing Up Into Christ."
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Sabbath afternoon: Following the out-
line, survey the entire lesson.
Sunday: Introduction; Questions 1-3.
Monday: Questions 4-6.
Tuesday: Questions 7-9.
Wednesday: Questions 10-12.
Thursday: Read Study Help assignment.
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
I. Introduction
II. God's Plan for Humanity
1.
Humanity is composed of "the
children of God" and "the chil-
dren of the devil." 1 John 3:10.
2.
God wants to deliver man from the
powers of darkness. Col. 1:12, 13.
3.
Sinners to be reborn sons of God.
John 1:12, 13.
III. Adoption Into Family of God
1.
Predestined to adoption. Eph. 1:5.
2.
Part4ker; of divine nature. 2 Peter
1:4.
3.
Born again. John 3:3-8.
4.
Of incorruptible seed. 1 Peter 1:23.
5.
Washing of regeneration. Titus 3:5.
6.
Baptism symbolizes break with
past. Rom. 6:3-11.
IV. The New Creation
1.
A new creature in Christ. 2 Cor.
5:17.
2.
Walk worthy of your calling. Eph.
4:1.
3.
Victory over sin. 1 John 3:9; 5:18.
Key Words:
1.
Regeneration.
Both in the English
and in the original Greek where the word
is used only twice in the New Testament
(Matt. 19:28 and Titus 3:5) it means "re-
creation."
2.
Adoption.
This, too, is a New Tes-
tament word and means in the original,
"placing as a son."
3.
Power.
This is a frequently used
word in the Bible with various suggestive
meanings in the original, such as "might,"
"strength," "arm," "hand," "force," "valor,"
"rule," "hardness," "ability," "privilege,"
"authority," "to be a prince," "energy,"
"robust." The Greek word
dunamis,
mean-
ing "power," appears in modified form in
our words
dynamic
and
dynamite.
36
THE LESSON.
Introduction
"Those who become new creatures in
Christ Jesus will bring forth the fruits of
the Spirit, 'love, joy, peace, long-suffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, tem-
perance.' They will no longer fashion them-
selves according to the former lusts, but
by the faith of the Son of God they will
follow in His steps, reflect His character,
and purify themselves even as He is pure.
The things they once hated, they now love;
and the things they once loved, they hate.
The proud and self-assertive become meek
and lowly in heart. The vain and super-
cilious become serious and unobtrusive. The
drunken become sober, and the profligate
pure. The vain customs and fashions of the
world are laid aside. . . . The loveliness of
the character of Christ will be seen in His
followers."—Steps
to Christ,
pages 62-64.
God's Plan for Humanity
1.
Into how many classes is hu-
manity divided? 1 John 3:10. Com-
pare Matt. 13:38.
2.
What hope is possible for those
chained by the power of darkness?
Col. 1:12, 13. Compare Luke 8:26-35.
NOTE.—"Satan cannot hold the dead in
his grasp when the Son of God bids them
live. He cannot hold in spiritual death one
soul who in faith receives Christ's word of
power."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 320.
3.
What does God
-
do for those who
receive Him? John 1:12, 13.
NoTE.—"This power [to become the
sons of God] is not in the human agent. It
is the power of God. When a soul receives
Christ, he receives power to live the life of
Christ."—Christ's Object Lessons,
page 314.
"He gives to all who receive Him, power
to become the sons of God. Regeneration
is the only path by which we can enter the
city of God. It is narrow, and the gate by
which we enter is strait; but along it we
are to lead men and women and children,
teaching them that, in order to be saved,
they must have a new heart and a new
spirit. The old, hereditary traits of charac-
ter must be overcome. The natural desires
of the soul must be changed. All decep-
tion, all falsifying, all evilspeaking, must be
put away. The new life, which makes men
and women Christlike, is to be lived."—
Testimonies,
vol. 9, p. 23.
Adoption Into Family of God
4.
To what great privilege are the
righteous predestined? Eph. 1:5. Com-
pare Rom. 8:15.
NorE.—"The
spirit of adoption
is the
real name for the spirit of life. While as-
suring us that He loves us tenderly as His
beloved children, God fills us with a horror
of sin and with the indomitable will to
have no other aim in life than to please our
Heavenly Father."—Translation from Ch.
Rochedieu,
Les tresors du Nouveau Testa-
ment,
page 255.
5.
Of what nature does God desire
us to partake? 2 Peter 1:4.
NOTE.—"The Holy Spirit was the highest
of all gifts that He could solicit from His
Father for the exaltation of His people.
The Spirit was to be given as a regenerat-
ing agent, and without this the sacrifice of
Christ would have been of no avail. . . .
Sin could be resisted and overcome only
through the mighty agency of the Third
Person of the Godhead, who would come
with no modified energy, but in the fullness
of divine power. . . . Through the Spirit
the believer becomes a partaker of the di-
vine nature."—The
Desire of Ages,
page
671.
6.
To what did Jesus compare this
marvelous transformation? John 3:
3-8.
[ 37 ]
NoTE.—"The fountain of the heart must
be purified before the streams can become
pure. He who is trying to reach heaven by
his own works in keeping the law is at-
tempting an impossibility. There is no
safety for one who has merely a legal re-
ligion, a form of godliness. The Christian's
life is not a modification or improvement
of the old, but a transformation of nature.
There is a death to self and sin, and a new
life altogether. This change can be brought
about only by the effectual working of the
Holy Spirit."—The
Desire of Ages,
page
172.
7. How does the apostle Peter re-
fer -to this transformation? 1 Peter
1:23.
NoTE.—"A sower from a higher world,
Christ came to sow the seeds of truth. He
who had stood in the councils of God, who
had dwelt in the innermost sanctuary of the
Eternal, could bring to men the pure prin-
ciples of truth. Ever since the fall of man,
Christ had been the Revealer of truth to
the world. By Him the incorruptible seed,
`the word of God, which liveth and abideth
forever,' is communicated to men."—
Christ's Object Lessons,
page 38.
8. What expression describes this
experience? Titus 3:5. Compare 1 Pe-
ter 3:21.
9. Of what is true baptism a sym-
bol? Rom. 6:3-11.
ANSWER:
a.
Crucifixion with Christ.
b.
Death of the old nature.
c.
Resurrection with Christ to a new life.
The New Creation
10. What does man become in
Christ? 2 Cor. 5:17. Compare Gal.
2:20.
OUR LIVES
ARE DARK UNTIL THE
POWER
FROM HEAVEN'S POWER LINE
FLOWS INTO THE LIFE -
NOTE.—"In dying as an expiatory victim
for our sins, Christ makes it possible for
sin to die out in us; He frees us from the
slavery of sin and lets us partake of His di-
vine nature."—Translation from
Les tresors
du Nouveau Testament,
page 323.
"With a new heart everything takes on a
different aspect. A new light allows us to
view sin in all its hideousness, and life in
its immensity, with all its possibilities and
responsibilities. . . . We become in effect
an entirely new creation, with new light,
new life, and new love—such is true regen-
eration which, in fact, simply causes us to
become ourselves again. We discover our
true
self."—Ibid.,
p. 308.
11. How do God's children prove
the reality of the change wrought
within them? Eph. 4:1. Compare Col.
1:10; 1 Thess. 2:12.
NOTE.—"This is a call to glorify God here
on earth—to demonstrate what the grace of
God can accomplish in a heart which is
fully surrendered."—Translation from
Les
tresors du Nouveau Testament,
page 377.
"Is there something more encouraging
than the thought that God can be pleased
with our course of action? He rejoices in
the fruits that we bear, the progress we
make, the patience, submission, and calm-
ness with which we bear trials, sorrow, suf-
ferings, and life's disappointments."—Ibid.,
p. 356.
[ 38 ]
12. What gives God's children the
power of complete victory over sin?
1 John 3:9; 5:18.
NOTE.
-"He
cannot willingly sin or take
delight in sinning; on the contrary, he de-
tests sin, because he has partaken of the
divine nature."-Translation from
Les tre-
sors du Nouveau Testament,
page 470.
Lesson 12, for September 17, 1955
Sanctification
MEMORY VERSE:
"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man
shall see, the Lord." Heb. 12:14.
STUDY HELP:
"Christ's Object Lessons," chapter, "To Meet the Bridegroom.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Sabbath afternoon: Following the out-
line, survey the entire lesson.
Sunday: Introduction; Questions 1-3.
Monday: Questions
4-6.
Tuesday: Questions 7-9.
Wednesday: Questions 10-12.
Thursday: Read Study Help assignment.
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
I.
Introduction
II. Called to Holiness
1.
"Be ye holy; for I am holy." 1 Pe-
ter 1:15, 16.
2.
Ideal set forth in the Old Testa-
ment. Lev. 11:44, 45.
3.
Reiterated in the New Testament.
Matt. 5:48.
4.
Holiness is a prerequisite of seeing
the Lord. Heb. 12:14.
5.
"Woe is me! for I am undone." Isa.
6:1-7.
III. God's Will for Man
1.
What God wills. 1 Thess. 4:3, first
part.
2.
Perfecting holiness. 2 Cor. 7:1.
IV. The Powers and Examples of
Sanctification
1. Powers: a. God. 1 Thess. 5:23.
b.
Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 1:30.
c.
The Holy Spirit. 1 Peter 1:2.
d.•
The word. John 17:17.
e.
Trials. James 1:2-4; Heb. 12:6-11.
f.
The church. Eph. 4:11, 13.
2. Examples: a. Jesus. Phil. 2:5; Heb.
12:2.
b.
Paul. Phil. 3:17.
c.
The great cloud of witnesses. Heb.
12:1; 11:39, 40.
V. Complete Sanctification
1.
Spirit, soul, and body. 1 Thess.
5:23.
2.
Established in holiness. 1 Thess.
3:12,
_
13.
.
3.
With fear and trembling we must
work for our salvation. Phil.
2:12, 13.
Key Words:
1. Sanctify, Sanctification.
The He-
brew and Greek words translated
sanctify
mean "to separate," "to set apart." A sanc-
tuary is a place set apart.
1
39 ]
2. Holy, Holiness.
In the majority of
references, both in the Old and the New
Testaments, our English words
holy
and
holiness
mean "separation," "a setting
apart." A few other meanings appear, such
as "reverence," "kindness," "becoming to a
priest," "gracious."
3. Will.
In the originals, words trans-
lated
will
have the meaning of "desire,"
"wish," "thought," "good pleasure," "coun-
sel," "purpose," "mind, judgment, deci-
sion," "to have delight in," "from his
heart," "liberal," "to think well of," "vo-
lition."
THE LESSON
Introduction
Sanctification can be compared to a lad-
der with its many steps leading from the
earth up to heaven. But there exists only
one such ladder, and one must find out
where it begins before attempting the
ascent. The paths that lead to it are: God's
call, repentance, conversion, justification,
and regeneration, or new birth.
Whereas justification is instantaneous,
sanctification is the work of a lifetime.
"True sanctification is a Bible doctrine.
The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Thessa-
lonian church, declares, 'This is the will of
God, even your sanctification.' And he
prays, 'The very God of peace sanctify
you wholly.' The Bible clearly teaches what
sanctification is, and how it is to be at-
tained. The Saviour prayed for His disci-
ples, 'Sanctify them through Thy truth:
Thy word is truth.' And Paul teaches that
believers are to be 'sanctified by the Holy
Ghost.'
"—The Great Controversy,
page
469.
Called to Holiness
1.
What is the logical consequence
of God's call to us? 1 Peter 1:15, 16.
2.
How is God's purpose for man's
holiness expressed in the Old Testa-
ment? Lev. 11:44, 45. Compare chap-
ters 19:2; 20:7.
3.
In what words did Christ reiter-
ate this ideal in the New Testament?
Matt. 5:48.
4.
What condition must be fulfilled
before one can see the Lord? Heb.
12:14.
5.
What impression did the vision
of God's holiness leave on the prophet
Isaiah? What were the results? Isa.
6:1-7.
God's Will for Man
6.
How is God's will toward us
summarized? 1 Thess. 4:3, first part.
NOTE.-"
Tor this is the will of God' be-
cause He loves us and desires to see us
happy. Compare Rom. 12:2; Eph. 5:10-17.
It is God's will that we escape a most hor-
rible enemy—one who would gladly pollute,
enslave, and finally destroy those who yield
themselves to him. God wants us to be
masters of ourselves—free and strong; God
wants us to learn to resist covetousness, to
discipline our minds and bodies. It is God's
will that we be men and women of vic-
tory."—Translation from Ch. Rochedieu,
Les tresors du Nouveau Testament,
page
368.
7.
Through what means may sanc-
tification and holiness be perfected?
2 Cor. 7:1. Compare Eph. 5:26.
[ 40
The Powers and Examples
of Sanctification
8. What are the six great means
used for the sanctification of believ-
ers?
ANSWER:
a. God.
1 Thess. 5:23.
b.
Jesus Christ.
1 Cor. 1:30.
c.
The Holy Spirit.
1 Peter 1:2.
d.
The word.
John 17:17.
e.
Trials.
James 1:2-4; Heb. 12:6-11.
f.
The church.
Eph. 4:11-13.
9. Who are the great examples we
must never lose sight of?
ANSWER:
a. Jesus. Phil.-2:5; Heb. 12:2.
b.
The apostle Paul. Phil. 3:17. Com-
pare 1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1.
c.
Great cloud of witnesses. Heb. 12:1;
11:39, 40.
Complete Sanctification
10. How much of our being must
be sanctified? 1 Thess. 5:23.
11. What will abound in our hearts
if we are established in holiness? 1
Thess. 3:12, 13.
NoTE.—"Let
a
living faith run like
threads of gold through the performance
of even the smallest duties. Then all the
daily work will promote Christian growth.
There will be a continual looking unto Je-
sus. Love for Him will give vital force to
everything that is undertaken. Thus
through the right use of our talents, we
may link ourselves by a golden chain to the
higher world. This is true sanctification;
for sanctification consists in the cheerful
performance of daily duties in perfect obe-
dience to the will of
God."—Christ's Ob-
ject Lessons,
page 360.
"It is the faithfulness, the loyalty to God,
the loving service, that wins the divine ap-
proval."—Ibid., p. 361.
12. In what spirit must we work
out our salvation? Phil. 2:12, 13.
NoTE.—"What we shall be in heaven is
the reflection of what we are now in char-
acter and holy service."—Christ's
Object
Lessons,
page 361.
FOREIGN-LANGUAGE SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLIES
The senior "Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly" is published in
the following foreign languages: Bohemian, Danish-Norwegian,
German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Slovakian,
Spanish, Swedish, Ukrainian, and Yugoslavian. Write to the Inter-
national Branch of the Pacific Press at Brookfield, Illinois, for any
of these quarterlies for the strangers within your gates.
[ 41 ]
Lesson 13, for September 24, 1955
The Restoration of All Things
MEMORY VERSE:
"But now being made free from sin, and become servants to
God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." Rom.
6:22.
STUDY HELPS:
"Education," chapter, "The School of the Hereafter;" "Prophets and
Kings," Chapter 60; "The Great Controversy," chapter 42.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Sabbath afternoon: Following the out-
line, survey the entire lesson.
Sunday: Questions 1-3.
Monday: Questions 4-6.
Tuesday: Questions 7-9.
Wednesday: Questions 10-12.
Thursday: Read Study Helps assign-
ments.
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
Christ's Promise and Supplications
1. What promise did Jesus make
His disciples before leaving them?
John 14:1-3.
Lesson Outline:
I. Christ's Promise and Supplications
1.
Jesus' comforting promise. John
14:1-3.
2.
Jesus prays to be glorified with His
former glory. John 17:5.
3.
He wants His disciples to be with
Him. John 17:24.
II. Waiting in Hope
1.
The hope of God's elect realized
when Christ returns. 1 Peter
1:2-5.
2.
Heaven receives Christ "until the
times of restitution of all things."
Acts 3:19-21.
3.
The whole creation awaits deliver-
ance from bondage of corruption.
Rom. 8:19-22.
III. All Things New
1. Looking for new heavens and a new
earth. 2 Peter 3:13.
2.
Promises of a new creation. Isa.
65:17; Rev 21:15.
3.
The preparation required. 2 Peter
3:14.
4.
Heirs of the kingdom. Rom. 8:17;
James 2:5.
5.
Translated into the kingdom. Col.
1:12, 13.
6.
When Jesus returns, we shall be
like Him. 1 John 3:2, 3.
IV. Summary
Key Words:
1.
Heir.
The Hebrew word translated
heir
means "to possess, occupy, succeed."
The Greek word means "one who receives
a lot or a portion."
2.
Hope.
This word is translated from
words meaning "confidence," "refuge," "ex-
pectation," "waiting."
THE LESSON
NoTE.-"As Christ's earthly ministry
drew to a close, and He realized that He
must soon leave His disciples to carry on
the work without His personal supervi-
sion, He sought to encourage them, and to
prepare them for the future."-The
Acts of
the Apostles,
page 21.
[
42]
THE LOST DOMINION WILL BE GIVEN
BACK TO MAN AS CHRIST SAYS,
"COMB ,YE BLESSED OF MY FATHER."
2.
What special request did Jesus
make of His Father? John 17:5.
3.
What positive wish did Jesus ex-
press? John 17:24.
NOTE.-" I
will.' The last wish of the
dying Son is that His brethren, those that
the Father has given Him, and those that
He will give Him, shall enjoy the rights of
sons and appreciate the greatness of the
glory that is His very own, that of being
the only Son."—Translation from Ch.
Rochedieu,
Les tresors du Nouveau Testa-
ment,
page 178.
Waiting in Hope
4.
When and through whom will
the hope of God's elect become a re-
ality? 1 Peter 1:2-5; Micah 4:8.
NoTE.—" `0 Tower of the flock, the
stronghold of the daughter of Zion, unto
Thee shall it come, even the first dominion.'
The time has come, to which holy men have
looked with longing since the flaming sword
barred the first pair from Eden,—the time
for 'the redemption of the purchased pos-
session.' The earth originally given to man
as his kingdom, betrayed by him into the
hands of Satan, and so long held by the
mighty foe, has been brought back by the
great plan of redemption. All that was lost
by sin has been restored."—The
Great Con-
troversy,
page 674.
5.
Until what momentous time
must heaven receive Jesus? Acts 3:
19-21.
6.
Into what state has the earth
fallen, and for what is it waiting?
Rom. 8:19-22.
NOTE.
—
"Not only
man but the earth
had by sin come under the power of the
wicked one, and was to be restored by the
plan of redemption. At his creation, Adam
was placed in dominion over the earth. But
by yielding to temptation, he was brought
under the power of Satan. 'Of whom a
man is overcome, of the same is he brought
in bondage.' When man became Satan's
captive, the dominion which he held, passed
to his conqueror. Thus Satan became 'the
god of this world.' He had usurped that
dominion over the earth which had been
originally given to Adam. But Christ, by
His sacrifice paying the penalty of sin,
would not only redeem man, but recover
the dominion which he had forfeited. All
that was lost by the first Adam will be re-
stored by the second. Says the prophet, '0
Tower of the flock, the stronghold of the
daughter of Zion, unto Thee shall it come,
even the first dominion.' And the apostle
Paul points forward to the 'redemption of
the purchased possession.' God created the
earth to be the abode of holy, happy be-
ings. The Lord 'formed the earth and made
it; He bath established it, He created it not
in vain, He formed it to be inhabited.' That
purpose will be ,fulfilled, when, renewed by
the power of God, and freed from sin and
sorrow, it shall become the eternal abode
of the
redeemed."—Patriarchs and Proph-
ets,
page 67.
[43
]
All Things New
10. What heritage is promised to
7. For what does the child of God the believer? Rom. 8:17; James 2:5.
long? 2 Peter 3:13; Rom. 8:23.
NorrE.—"In the darkest days of her long
conflict with evil, the church of God has
been given revelations of the eternal pur-
pose of Jehovah. His people have been
permitted to look beyond the trials of the
present to the triumphs of the future,
when, the warfare having been accom-
plished, the redeemed will enter into pos-
session of the promised land. These visions
of future glory, scenes pictured by the
hand of God, should be dear to His church
today, when the controversy of the ages
is rapidly closing, and the promised bless-
ings are soon to be realized in all their
fullness."—Prophets and Kings,
page 722.
8.
What explicit promise did God
make regarding His future kingdom?
Isa. 65:17; Rev. 21:15.
NOTE.—"To us who are standing on the
very verge of their fulfillment, of what
deep moment, what living interest, are these
delineations of the things to come,—events
for which, since our first parents turned
their steps from Eden, God's children have
watched and waited, longed and prayed!"
—Prophets and Kings,
page 731.
9.
While expecting the fulfillment
of these promises, what must we do?
2 Peter 3:14.
NOTE.-"It
is now that we must keep
ourselves and our children unspotted from
the world. It is now that we must wash
our robes of character and make them
white in the blood of the Lamb. It is now
that we must overcome pride, passion, and
spiritual slothfulness. It is now that we
must awake and make determined effort
for symmetry of character. 'Today if ye
will hear His voice, harden not your
hearts.'
"—Testimonies, vol.
5, pp. 215, 216.
11.
What will be the final results
of deliverance from sin through the
redeeming
grace
of Jesus Christ? Col.
1:12, 13.
NorE.—"In the earth made new, the re-
deemed will engage in the occupations and
pleasures that brought happiness to Adam
and Eve in the beginning. The Eden life
will be lived, the life in garden and field.
`They shall build houses, and inhabit them;
and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the
fruit of them. They shall not build, and
another inhabit; they shall not plant, and
another eat: for as the days of a tree are
the days of My people, and Mine elect
shall long enjoy the work of their hands.'
"There every power will be developed,
every capability increased. The grandest
enterprises will be carried forward, the
loftiest aspirations will be reached, the
highest ambitions realized. And still there
will appear new heights to surmount, new
wonders to admire, new truths to compre-
hend, fresh objects of study to call forth the
powers of body and mind and soul."—
Prophets and Kings,
pages 730, 731.
12.
Before we enter our final home,
what miraculous transformation must
take place in us? 1 John 3:2, 3; Phil.
3:21, 22.
Summary
During, our course of study this quarter,
we have examined the plan of salvation in
its different aspects: creation; the tempta-
tion and fall; sin and its consequences;
God's love for man; the gift of His Son
Jesus Christ for the redemption of sinners;
His incarnation to atone for the sins of
man; His victory over sin; pardon granted
freely to all who repent and believe; God's
grace extended to those who want to live
a victorious life; the regenerating power
[ 44 ]
which is willing to make of God's children
new creatures—obedient, equal to Jesus,
living a sanctified life in preparation for
their final home in heaven where "the years
of eternity, as they roll, will bring richer
and still more glorious revelations of God
and of Christ. As knowledge is progressive,
so will love, reverence, and happiness in-
crease. The more men learn of God, the
greater will be their admiration of His
character. As Jesus opens before them the
riches of redemption, and the amazing
achievements in the great controversy with
Satan, the hearts of the ransomed thrill
with more fervent devotion, and with more
rapturous joy they sweep the harps of
gold; and ten thousand times ten thousand
and thousands of thousands of voices unite
to swell the mighty chorus of praise."—
The Great Controversy,
page 678.
[ 46 ]
THIRTEENTH SABBATH OFFERING
September 24
This quarter the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering overflow again goes to the Far
Eastern Division to give help on three specific projects: (I) the Philippine Union
College, (2) the West New Guinea school, and (3) medical work in Okinawa.
The buildings of the Philippine Union College, constructed twenty-five years
ago, are the same buildings that are in use today; despite the fact that the enroll-
ment has grown from less than 30o to more than 1,15o students. Among the
many needs of the college, one of the most urgent is for a house of worship. And
it is this need we may help to supply through a portion of the offering overflow.
The West New Guinea Mission is one of the newest missions in the Far
Eastern Division. The needs in this field are great, and one of the greatest is for
a school where young people can be trained to work for their own people.
Perhaps the name Okinawa was seldom heard before World War II, but now
it is known by every schoolboy. Our work is making progress on that island, but
there are many needs, the chief of which is for some kind of medical work. And
that is what we are going to help to supply through the Thirteenth Sabbath
Offering overflow.
LESSONS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER, 1955
Sabbathlschool members who have failed to receive a senior
Lesson Quar-
terly
for the fourth quarter of 1955 will be helped by the following outline in
studying the first lesson.
The title of the lessons for the quarter is "The Ministry of Angels," and the
title of the first Sabbath's lesson is "Angels Created Beings; Disaffection and
Conflict." The Memory Verse is Heb. 2:16. The texts to be studied are:
Ques. 1. Eph. 3:14, 15.
Ques. 2. Job 1:6; 1 John 3:1.
Ques. 3. 1 Tim. 5:21 ; Heb. 1:5.
Ques. 4. Ezek. 10:19, 20; Isa. 6:2, 6.
Ques. 5. Jude 9; Luke 1:19.
Ques. 6. Job 38:4-7.
Ques. 7. Gen. 3:24.
Ques. 8.
Isa.
14:12-14.
Ques. 9. Rev. 12:7-9.
Ques. 10.2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6.
Ques. 11. Rev. 12:12.
Ques. 12. Eph. 6:11, 12.
Ques. 13. Luke 10:17-19.
Ques. 14. Heb. 1:13, 14.
[ 46 ]
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MISSION
UNION MISSION
POPULATION
CHURCHES
CH. MEM.
S.S. MEM.
INDONESIA
80,000.000
248
11,797
14,977
JAPAN
87.606,000
41
2,599
5,524
KOREAN
29,291,000
47
3.969
16,047
MALAYAN
51.426.819
44
3,739
5.107
N.
PHILIPPINE
9.738770
320
16,956
18,648
S. PHILIPPINE
10,349.400
329
25.983
33,956
S. CHINA ISLAND U. M.
11,6E0.000
II
895
1,964.
DETACHED MISSIONS
185.559
5
219
256
DIVISION
280,197548
1.045
64157
96,479
JAPAN
UNION MISSION
CI DIVISION HEADQUARTERS
* UNION MISSION HEADQUARTERS
SOUTH CHINA ISLAND
UNION MISSION
OKINAWA
MEDICAL
WORK
.0"
0
0
CHINA
OKINAWA
TAICHUNG
ORIAOSA )
HONG ROHS
TAIWAN
PHILIPPINE
UNION
COLLEGE
VA
V.
DC4
1
3
CII=MP
4
.
4. .S16
42
;j,
e
ir'P
g.
INIX
. . -
NORTH PHILIPPINE
UNION MISSION
lu
SOUTH PHILIPPINE
UNION MISSION
•
0.
•
,C3
GUAM
0
T.
-
.-- HALMAHERA
CA
eD 1;7:Z)
90
WAN
%
•
INDONESIA UNION MISSION
NEW GUINEA
SCHOOL
NEW
GUINEA
